Hi and thanks for taking a look at my first guide. I purchased V65 shortly after its release and have enjoyed it since. I wanted to make this guide to help all level of players from novice to expert. It will
hold some information to help you better understand counterinsurgency (C.O.I.N) operations in V65.
For beginners who are not familiar with game play functions and unit strength and weaknesses I recommend in game tutorial and Gen. Eric guide to V65 units.

This will not be a step by step or cheat guide. It is simply lessons learned from my enjoyment of a
great game and hope that it will make you enjoy it as well. After all it just more fun when we win.

"Find the Bastards, Then Pile On" motto of the 11th ACR Vietnam 68-71


When starting don`t lose too much time planning out your FOB`s and Firebase. Give yourself a rough direction and go with that. Things will change and you will need to adapt to the flow of the game.You want to get out there and start questioning villagers and get Intel on VC locations, get engineer on route to 1st FOB build and secure village(s) nearest to HQ. I normally don`t buy to many units at the start. I add a 2nd Special Forces (Green Berets,SF)unit at turn one because I find they are vital to the COIN effort. As for other units you decide what you want.

SOP:Distance between HQ & FOB should not exceed Huey`s reach limit in rain (7sq).

SOP:Sweep for mines when visiting village. You can`t get to a 2nd one in the same turn so use that move to boost H&M score.


Special Forces, LRRP`s
SF should be deployed around villages that are not easy to get to. They are not slowed down by thick jungle as regular units do and wider detection range will help you get eyes on enemy movement. Always keep a close eye on your Intel reports every turn. If your NVA numbers are getting high (2-3 really no more or you will be in trouble) try to deploy SF near border to the West (left side). One SF unit and your airstrike* should keep NVA in check for early part of game and with air supply option no need for risky resupply operations. Try to keep that unit patrolling to find enemy units and notice direction of movement. Units point in the direction they will go to next;this should help you figure out to and from of enemy. The 2nd SF team should be training ARVN units.
Adding more SF units will help you detect enemy much quicker just remember you need infantry to take them out.

*NOTE:I have airstrike capability at every turn (achievements)

Use Special Forces primarly for:

• Reconnaissance

• Training ARVN units

• Mine sweeping

SOP: When tunnel or trail is detected Search&Destroy (S&D) operations should be conducted in area for more than one turn.

SOP : Distance between HQ & Fire base should not exceed CH-47 rain range (15sq).


"We are not about to send American boys 9 or 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves. " LBJ


ARVN
ARVN units are essential to winning H&M in V65. Try to visit villages with ARVN whenever they are available. Engaging in combat should be 2nd to gathering Intel for Host Nation (HN) forces. When possible ambush enemy forces rather than direct assault, with the element of surprise you better your chances of a successful outcome.

Use ARVN primarly for:

• Mine sweeping

• Intel gathering

• Security escorts e.i. engineer

SOP: Heal casualties quickly, combat will give experience to units no matter what the outcome and a healed experienced unit is worth a lot in the field.

SOP: Let chopper wait outside village when visiting, don`t waste moves going back and forth. Timing is everything ; ending turn with unit in chopper will allow you to pick them back up on same turn and possibly move on to another village.

US INFANTRY

Good old grunts. Heart & Soul of US army, they get the job done. All major combat operations should be done by US infantry. Posting infantry near villages in ambush mode will sometimes yield results but be prepared to resupply and sometimes find yourself without 1 combat unit for several turns.

Use Infantry primarly for:

• S&D missions

• Direct assult on enemy

• Mine sweeping

-The VC are a motivated group who have a network of tunels and trails (spawn points) from where they launch their missions.
They have 10 locations available at all time on the map.


VC missions range from :

• Mine deployment missions

• RPG ambush locations

• Village intimidation visits

• Disruption of supply lines

All mentioned above have a great impact on local H&M.
Great effort must be put on hindering these activities from turn one. Find those spawn point and start camping. Ambushing VC units will most likely end in victory to attacking force.

SOP: Village flags show direct impact of operations in area pay close attention to them. If a village flag is not changing it's because something is still around. Keep searching.

SOP: Finding NVA base is top priority all other operations beside village visits are to be halted untill base is destroyed.

-The NVA is a highly trained and dedicated force. Taking out NVA units is no easy task. Multiple hits may be needed to eliminate unit. Open terrain and eyes on with SF unit will help put odds in your favor. Controling VC unit numbers will greatly help you in fending off NVA attacks.


NVA missions range from :

• HQ & FOB assaults

• AntiAir (AA) missions

• Base construction

• Armoured assaults

So I hope you enjoyed this guide. If I made any mistakes or you would like to see me add something please feel free to comment.

I want to thank all at ESS team for making such a good game and taking time to awnser my questions while I made this guide.

Now go sweep them jungles soldier ;)