Halftracks - Are they worth it?

[tcl2828]

Hey guys! Hey Vic! I am just wondering what you guys think about halftracks. Are they worth investing in? How much do they help Infantry in combat? Also, the AI uses allot of armored vehicles and those buggers are a pain to kill - any thoughs. Thanks, TCL

[Josh]

You mean in AT? Yes as far as I know they do have a combat value, not much though, I used them to keep my Inf close to my armoured spearheads. Problem is they are expensive and use up lots of supply. So in my games they only showed up at least halfway through the game, in the later stages. If you build them too early they're not worth it IMO. Later in the game when you have some production to spare, I do build them. I mostly build an Armoured Inf unit something like 3 halftracks (60 transport points) and something like 20 Inf, some Machineguns/ Mortars/ AT guns, never more than 50 points so you can stack 2 units without getting an attack penalty. That unit, especially when it's in woods, can block enemy vehicles for sure. Then you can encircle your opponent with your Tank units. I think they have a higher Air defense value too, protects you from fighterbombers... a bit.
 
So worth it? Not early in the game in my humble opinion, later on only in selected units. Matter of fact, horses rule, certainly at the start of the game.

[Vic]

Moved this thread from support to general forum.

As for the question. one of the things i changed in the at gold rules is that i made the halftracks more usefull. in at gold halftracks will actually take hits for your infantry and basicly they will try to act as shields.

But thats AT Gold.

best,
Vic

[Ande]

Halftracks are useful for recon and tracked movement for spearheads. Tracked movement is vastly superior in open terrain with no roads. Recon in spearheads are always a concern, providing mobility for scouts is cumbersome, armoured cars are vulnerable and fighter aircraft can almost always be put to better use. Yeah, you pay a bit extra for the halftrack and it is expensive to maintain but in the very specialized use of spearhed mobilizer, they're worth it