Grand Tactician The Civil War Spring '61 Tutorial : The First 9 Months

[@zachnar0125]

Wow! You are so right about the long game is our usual playstyle. Shocked me.

[@Hummingbird_hatchett]

Just started playing as well- couldnt find any tutorials that actually answered questions. Thanks man

[@greatscots]

Glad to hear it. Good luck!

[@juanredman9882]

Best tutorial series out for this game right now. Thanks so much.

[@greatscots]

Thanks very much. Glad you're enjoying it.

[@cavecanem9956]

Awesome, your the best at explaining everything. Excellent verbal communication, knowledgeable, subjective & presentation. Everyone else makes it about making money and stuff. Like Patreon units and what not. You do amazing work here. I just request keeping us updated on game patches and updates.

[@greatscots]

Great, glad you enjoyed it. It's funny you should mention updating this. Earlier this week, I was like "man, that last tutorial was made about a year ago and a lot has changed." So, it's on my list of things to do.

[@schmiddy8433]

For the confederates There's some huge synergy with 'slaves to the west', 'southern pacific RR' and 'industrialization'. 'slaves to the west' doubles trade capacity with western states and upgrades texas's trading ports for trade with europe plus gets you some population bonuses in those western states. 'southern pacific RR' gives +2 credit and also further boosts western state trade. Building railroads is cheaper too which is really nice and overall better supply throughout the CSA. That +2 credit cannot be understated in that it gives you an enormous bonus to funds right out of the gate to start building up. 'industrialization' upgrades all of your industry buildings a level, gives more railroads, increases population, and gives you those fat subsidies later. These together produce enormous bonuses to western state trade, european trade, railroads, population (including recruitable population), and speedy industrialization making the CSA into a powerhouse at the expense of some meaningless early gains in most other policies. I made another comment on the video about how good the CSA rifles actually are. If you go down this route you can pump out those top tier rifles later in the game and dominate the battlefield.

[@greatscots]

I certainly agree about SPRR. I used to be a big proponent of SI, but I’ve walked some of that back after I tested the economic results of a bunch of different builds. The railroads you get from it are good, and it’s really undercosted in vanilla. At least in its upfront cost. When I tested other builds I found that importing more actually helps your fiscal position. When I looked at this for the Union, I believe the figure I came up with was at least $100M/ year would be lost by producing more domestically than placing tariffs on imports. If you don’t start with max support, I like Apostles of Disunion to max out that support. But as I said in my other comment, this is a really old tutorial and one of my first. I’ve done a lot more playing and testing since then.

[@andrewarmstrong7560]

This was very helpful. I'm fine on the tactical side of GTCW but the strategic can very overwhelming when starting out. Thanks for the hard work putting this together!

[@greatscots]

Great, glad you found it useful, and I hope this helps with the big picture stuff.

[@juanredman9882]

I'm the other way other around better at Strategic and terrible at Tactical.

[@paulkeith6245]

I'm just starting to learn the game and your video has answered a lot of questions I have had on what and how to begin a game. I really liked Ultimate General: Civil War for the army creation and designing your own corps, divisions, bridades, and battalions, but GTCW adds the strategic game which can be overwhelming. NOw I at least have an idea on how to start. Thank you.

[@greatscots]

Glad to hear it helped. I enjoyed UGCW a bunch, too.

[@signoguns8501]

Thats one of the things i love about this game. Most games offer either/or. Total war does something similar, but the strategic side is very basic compared to GTCW. This game has RTS with a complex, in-depth strategic component, where you control an army as well as an economy, and you have to make the two work in harmony. I cant think of any other game that offers that. Like a combination of EU/ Crusader Kings and Total war. It really is an extremely ambitious project. They are only a small indie team, too. I think they have done a fantastic job.

[@shawnp6653]

Still on the fence with this one. Appreciate your time/effort in sharing this with us. Also appreciate the links in the description.

[@greatscots]

You're on the fence about getting it, or you've got it and you're on the fence about whether it's good?

[@shawnp6653]

@@greatscots On whether to purchase. I 'like' the Civil War hostory, but I am not a hard core strategy gamer (ie I may not be able to manage all the complexities & mechanics) and a bit concerned about some of things i read on Steam and in reviews. Watched a lot videos (like History Gaming Guy), like yours, and it looks pretty good.

[@greatscots]

@@shawnp6653 Gotcha. Yeah, it's a work in progress, and not for everyone, but for the people who really like civil war history and strategy games, this is the best anyone's done yet, and it keeps getting better.

[@shawnp6653]

@@greatscots That's what I was wanting to hear... Watching your tutorials at the moment. Looks like I'll ask Santa for it ;) Appreciate the thoughts & time.

[@greatscots]

@@shawnp6653 Good luck with the big man!

[@AsdrubalBarka]

Hey man, ty for the tutorial. Its a good game, but the way they trow you at the begining its daunting. This tutorial brings a lot of ligth. So...ty vevy much.

[@greatscots]

Yeah, it's a lot, but I think they're making it for those kinda people who want that kind of depth. The downside, if it can be called that, is exactly what you mention. Hopefully these plug some of that gap.

[@deebee4575]

Thanks. Just got this and it’s a lot to process. I’ll be using this vid as a guide.

[@greatscots]

Yes, it's a lot to take in and there's a learning curve. I hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy the game.

[@deebee4575]

@@greatscots I like a learning challenge. Thanks!

[@nigel3296]

Very good, thanks. Enjoyed your recent economics one too.

[@greatscots]

Thank you, and it's good to hear the economic one was good, too.

[@schmiddy8433]

Something I found from playing around with these is if you don't go with arms agents yes you don't get the springfield rifles, but you CAN take subsidies for confederate rifles which are actually BETTER than the rifled springfield muskets and are arguably the best rifles in the game. These rifles dont pick up production as quick and you dont get that starting juiced up armory for initial fights but long term are way better choice combined with industry subsidies. Richmond rifle, more range but slower reload. This actually makes them more accurate because your accuracy buffs from being closer start earlier than the springfield. accuracy mediocre range 450 yards weight 7lb reload 2.5rpm fayetteville rifle-musket, same reload of springfield rifle but +100 yards range which again, improves accuracy noticeably. The only downside is the heavier weight which may affect stamina and such. accuracy mediocre range 500 weight 10lb reload 3.0rpm "A few days ago we were shown one of a number of rifles furnished at the C. S. Armory here. It is much the same in general appearance, as the U.S. rifle for some years made at Harper’s Ferry and at Springfield, Mass.; but for certain improvements, in the matter of sword bayonet, Maynard primer, and perfection of finish in all parts, it must be pronounced very superior. The back sights are set for 800 and 500 yards. Altogether, we think it the handsomest specimen of small arms, rifle or musket, we have ever seen-reflecting the greatest credit upon all concerned with its manufacture."

[@greatscots]

Yeah, this is a really old tutorial, but your points are well taken.

[@bradpederson4510]

Very helpful vid here! Thanks for this. Cheers

[@greatscots]

Happy to do it!

[@giacomomariucci8140]

Very useful video! Thank you!

[@greatscots]

Great, glad it helped!

[@ashleychapman4887]

Thanks!

[@fortusvictus8297]

Great video, but needs some updating now. For example, Military 2 is no longer required for corps/army structure as it is now a policy paid by subsidies (Organizational reform). Also, with your corps structure keep in mind officer experience is gained at .25 of subordinate units. So if you want your corps commander to gain experience as fast as your division commanders you should have about 4 active. Same for the division commanders, they should have 4 active brigades to gain experience at the same rate as a brigade leader.

[@greatscots]

Thanks, yeah, it was one of the first tutorials and it’s certainly dated at this point. Thanks for adding tips.

[@greatgraham]

Awesome video very helpful thank you sir

[@greatscots]

Great, glad it helped. Hope someone was able to help you with your lag issue.

[@NeoIvan17]

Thanks for the video. Have you experimented with having separate Cavalry corps in your armies to handle all the scouting, etc or do you keep divisions of cav in your corps?

[@greatscots]

Sure thing. I try to keep a cavalry division in each corps. That way they are able to do the scouting for the entire corps, which raises their corps' intelligence and maybe some other factor.

[@invictus4107]

When making new X's would you use Draftees if you have them or Volunteers first? Does it matter? Thx

[@greatscots]

I prefer volunteers for fluff and I think they have higher morale, but I'd have to check that.

[@invictus4107]

Is the AI gimped by the economy like players or do they cheat like in other games? I have it but never got far due to learning curve

[@greatscots]

As best I can tell, the AI deals with the same economic limitations as players. In my experience, the AI makes more policy choices with respect to managing their economy.

[@greatgraham]

Can you do this walkthrough with the 1.06 update

[@greatscots]

I think I'm going to start a new campaign next week, and I'll probably upload everything-- campaign play and battle play.

[@picolascage5270]

When I play campaign I noticed that when I send an army that's well rested to go for another army they always retreat before they even will battle why is that?

[@greatscots]

I'm not sure who the "they" is here-- your rested army or the one they're going after. In either case, I don't think I've experienced it.

[@picolascage5270]

@@greatscots my apologies lol. My army. It'll be like they done and dash lol. Very annoying.

[@greatscots]

@@picolascage5270 Still hard to say without me seeing it. It doesn't sound like anything I've ever experienced, so I'm not sure.

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

Something I wish was an option in civil war games.... an option as the south to not fire on fort sumter...

[@greatscots]

Why's that?

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

@@greatscots mainly so the war doesn't start on the same time.. and it didn't have to be fired on.. they may have surrendered in a few days anyhow, due to lack of supply(or so rise and fall of the csa govt indicates from writings that major anderson left). Its a flavor that seems to be hard coded into games. It has to start then, no options for other routes.