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The Central Powers are represented by Germany inThe Great War: Western Front. Your allies, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, have their hands full in the east, so playing as the Central Powers means conquering France on your own. Do you have what it takes to rewrite history?
Related:The Great War: Western Front - Beginner Tips
Playing as the Central Powers leads to a very different campaign than playing as the Allies, but the differences are subtle. You’ll have to overcome some initial disadvantages if you want to take Paris, but once the German war machine gets rolling there’s very little that can stop it!
Conscripts
German troops don’t have national abilities like Allied soldiers do. This means that they alsodon’t suffer penalties from Disunity of Command. Instead, the Central Powers have access to Conscripts, acheap and expendable infantry unit.
Conscripts are far and away the weakest unit in the game, dealing less damage and breaking faster than any other type of infantry company. However,they only cost two Supply points to deploy, meaning you can deploy an entire corps to the field for a fraction of the cost of regular troops.
Conscripts can’t be expected to stand up to Allied soldiers, who will always outclass them. Instead, they’re best used tosoak up fire on the front lines, allowing your regulars and elites to reach the enemy trenches without taking losses.
If you’re in a strong defensive position, with asolid trench network and plenty of barbed wire and machine gun nests, Conscripts are also a great way to get the most out of a losing battle. With sufficient defenses, they can inflict decent losses on an overwhelming enemy before they succumb, ensuring thatyour enemy’s replenishment costs will far outweigh your own.
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German Campaign Strategy
Since a decent chunk of Germany’s army is composed of Conscripts, and the Allies have inherent advantages in the form of national abilities, the Central Powersstart the campaign at a disadvantage in terms of troop quality.Your first priority should be toclose this gapby unlocking Grenadiers and Stormtroopersas early as possible, at the expense of other research priorities.
Whether you plan to push toward Paris or simply grind out a National Will victory - both of which are viable options - you’ll need to be on the offensive as much as possible. Germany ismuch more geared toward attack than defense,so it’s imperative that you initiate battles every turn. Attack, attack, and attack some more as much as your Supply and Gold Reserves will allow.
Once you’ve unlocked your elite infantry, it’s worth putting some research into Logistics. Extra supply and income each turn will help you continue throwing troops at the front line, as will Medical Tents in key areas.
Once the Research Grants event fires (usually sometime in late 1915 or early 1916),use the extra tech points to unlock Germany’s ultimate weapon - tanks!It’s a heavy investment because of all the prerequisites, but well worth the price!
Properly protected from flank attacks, the Sturmpanzerwagen is a veritable juggernaut. Between yourtanks, grenadiers, and flamethrowers,shielded by waves of Conscripts, you should have an easy time capturing objectives in the face of even the most stalwart allied defense!
