Artillery: Attack vs Bombard

[Chernobyl]

Still new and trying to figure out how things work. Assuming both options are available, it seems to me that using my artillery units for regular attacks generally gets better results than using them to bombard.

What are the main factors that influence your decision?
What are the proper times for a bombard attack?

Thanks for any opinions.

[RCHarmon]

Use your artillery assets to soften up the target then let the infantry do its thing. I almost never have artillery assets join in on an infantry attack.

After you get the enemy running don't think that you have to use the artillery every turn. They take 3 turns to replenish so I save them for dug in or well prepared targets.

You don't want them taking loses in close combat.

[Vic]

There are several trade-offs.

The main difference is that if you attack with artillery first your subsequent land attacks will face opponents with low readiness and entrenchment from the start of combat round 1 and will thus probably cause less casualties on your own troops.

However attacking together might cause the enemy to retreat quicker, but the artillery will use potentially valid stack points as well. And be vulnerable for possible enemy attacks.

My recommendation is to first do an artillery attack and after it the land attack. Though there might be cases where you are in a hurry and enemy is not very entrenched or ready where attacking together might indeed give you a speed difference.

Best wishes,
Vic