Attack vs Stack Size discussion

[WingedIncubus]

This forum needs more discussions. So I will begin a discussion about battle tactics. [8D]

In theory the attacker's optimal aim with each attack is :

- That the battle lasts the least turns possible to push the opponent's counters into retreating,
- While preserving enough AP to exploit the free move or attack a new target when the counter is pushed back,
- Knowning that Divisions need a minimum of 40 APs (the equivalent of 4 phases) to perform an attack.

So before ordering each attack, what is your rule of thumb on the ratio of attacker vs the defender's stack you aim for? Do you go for more counters so bring in overwhelming force (under max stack), or do you try to spare as many Divisions so to keep them at 100+ APs for further moves?

From experimenting with the DC rules, I'd say in average aiming for at least 2:1 vs the opponent's stack is a good rule of thumb. While a mere >1:1 ratio is often enough to win a skirmish the closer it is to equity (1:1) the more battle phases it takes to resolve battle, expanding APs for each Division participating the attack. Afterwards there's too few remaining to further exploit the free move and make new attacks, However, bringing too many units that needed squander APs for suboptimal benefits (at 10 per phase per Division). Thus there's a balance somewhere, a Nash equilibrium to aime for between stack attack equity and AP consumption per unit.

What say you? Any tips?

[willgamer]

ORIGINAL: Drakken

- Knowning that Divisions need a minimum of 40 APs (the equivalent of 4 phases) to perform an attack.

Just a few thoughts to move to discussion along... [:)]

I think your quote above is often true, but the quote from the manual p. 128 is: "Each combat round costs 10 AP. The minimal total cost of a battle is the cost to move into the hex."

So, the cost could be less, say for a armor div. moving down a road against a weak opfor. It even sounds like the minimum would constitute a kind of 'overrun'.

Concerning how to select from too many potential attackers, I look primarily to remove the unit with the lowest readiness and preferably use none with less that 70. Not being able to recover to at least 90 (not counting fatigue effects) can become a spiral downward that is difficult to recover.

[Speedysteve]

Yes the amount of AP required varies according to the terrain you attack into and if across rivers etc.

As the Axis with infantry I find in the early turns a 100AP division is normally good enough to force a full strength soviet equivalent back. In terms of whether to use 1 full AP or 2 x full AP or 2 x partial AP for me it depends on the situation and what I'm trying to achieve. Sometimes it's to herd enemy units, others it's a general push back, opening a route for Panzers etc.