Artillery Commanders

[dakjck]

There never seems to be enough artillery commanders, even after activating everyone available. In my games, there are always many more artillery units than artillery leaders. Should I leave my heavy artillery uncommanded on garrison duty in forts or should I use my precious artillery leaders to command those batteries? If so, what should I do with my mobile artillery?

I know that several infantry commanders have a 2 artillery rating. However, I also notice when using sub-commanders (I always play with sub-commanders), when you place artillery in an infantry corps, only artillery sub-commanders will assist the artillery in the corps. Is it better to let the artillery stay in the corps unassisted and use the artillery leaders to command independent batteries or to use the artillery leaders to assist the corps commanders?

Generally, I try to not place artillery in the infantry corps but place them in special artillery battalions. However, I end up with large uncommanded artillery depots because I have run out of artillery leaders.

[Joel Billings]

With CSC's you will need to put some arty in infantry Corps. Do not leave Heavy Artillery without a leader of some kind if they can be attacked as this will put them at a big disadvantage. Sometimes you have to make due with front line artillery without CSC's.

[Berkut]

Does that mean that with CSC, the Corps commanders artillery rating (presuming it is an infantry corps) is meaningless?

Actually, that raises another question - if you are using CSCs, how does that effect the Corps commanders impact on the units under his command? Does his unit rating become meaningless?

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Berkut
Does that mean that with CSC, the Corps commanders artillery rating (presuming it is an infantry corps) is meaningless?

No, but the sub-commanders only command units of their own type, so if you only have infantry sub-commanders, then the artillery will only get a boost from the corps commander and not any of the sub-commanders. You want a corps commander and an artillery sub-commander for best effect.

Actually, that raises another question - if you are using CSCs, how does that effect the Corps commanders impact on the units under his command? Does his unit rating become meaningless?

No, they add on to the ratings of the sub-commanders.

[Berkut]

Cool thanks.

Another question...how does the artillery rating of a cav commander impact on them? I've seen a couple cav commanders with very high artillery ratings - does that mean they should perhaps get some artillery in their corps, with or without CSCs? Will it be used when rating or scouting?

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Berkut
Another question...how does the artillery rating of a cav commander impact on them? I've seen a couple cav commanders with very high artillery ratings - does that mean they should perhaps get some artillery in their corps, with or without CSCs? Will it be used when rating or scouting?

All ratings are considered unless the commander is a sub-commander, in which case they only use their primary specialty rating and only command units of that type. For unit/corps commanders, their type is much less important than their ratings. For example, Sheridan is a fine unit/corps commander for pretty much any type of unit. With that said, when you have a cavalry unit/corps that's intended for scouting/raiding, you probably don't want artillery in there as it will slow them down and only cavalry/mounted units contribute to scouting/raiding values. If you have a cavalry force that's primarily engaging in combat though, with a commander who also has good artillery ratings, then including artillery might make sense.

Regards,

- Erik

[Berkut]

Thanks, that answers another question I had that had not asked - what exactly does the commander "type" mean, if anything. I am guessing it may actually be nothing at all, other than where they appear in the activation list?

I.E. a theoretical "artillery" commander with a 3-3-3i rating is just as good as an infantry corps "infantry" commander with a 3-3-3i rating, as an example. Of course, I've never seen one like that, but there are a few "infantry" commanders with 3 artillery ratings. Of course, they tend to be the best infantry type commanders as well...

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Berkut
Thanks, that answers another question I had that had not asked - what exactly does the commander "type" mean, if anything. I am guessing it may actually be nothing at all, other than where they appear in the activation list?

The "type" is really only crucial for sub-commanders.

I.E. a theoretical "artillery" commander with a 3-3-3i rating is just as good as an infantry corps "infantry" commander with a 3-3-3i rating, as an example. Of course, I've never seen one like that, but there are a few "infantry" commanders with 3 artillery ratings. Of course, they tend to be the best infantry type commanders as well...

Correct.