Para drops in non-bases hexes

[Podolano]

Hi All!

I’ve been playing Scen #1, as the Allies against the AI in around 700+ turns already played by now.

In Burma, I was trying to use the classic “blitzkrieg” tactics, by 1. Sending Para drops ahead to secure important river crossing hexes, 2. Having armored units and artillery link with the Paras sitting there, then press forward and 3. Having infantry to clean up what’s left.

However, looks like I’m not able to carry out Para drops in hexes which are non-bases type.

Can anybody confirm that and if so, if there’s any way to overcome that?

Thanks in advance to you all!

Felipe

[GetAssista]

Paradrops are only possible into enemy bases.

That was a design choice given large empty areas on the game map, where in reality you would have bits and pieces of troops everywhere to harass paras.

Edit: Oh, and on top of enemy units as RangerJoe notes below. No more empty area then eh )

[RangerJoe]

The only way to do that is to drop them on the enemy unit that is not on a base. Otherwise, bases only.

[Leandros]

Yes, and this is one of the strange pecularities in the game - and totally non-RL. I mean, that is the whole idea of paratroops, you do not jump right into an enemy base or unit, if you can avoid it. To have the enemy have to secure numerous locations against para drops is an accepted strategy - and should be the defender's problem.

This is only one more point where the Japanese side is given more advantages in "this war".

The Japanese did so on a couple of occasions but as often chose to drop in less defended areas.

Regds

Fred

[Sardaukar]

And if you drop them on enemy unit...great way to create your own "Mini-Arnhem" debacle...

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

And if you drop them on enemy unit...great way to create your own "Mini-Arnhem" debacle...

The Britsh Paras at Arnhem wasn't even dropped on enemy bases but had to march towards them after landing some distance away.

Same with the Americans and Polish.

Fred

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Leandros

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

And if you drop them on enemy unit...great way to create your own "Mini-Arnhem" debacle...

The Britsh Paras at Arnhem wasn't even dropped on enemy bases but had to march towards them after landing some distance away.

Same with the Americans and Polish.

Fred

Yep, I know the operation and it's progress.

My point is that planners ignored presence of 9th and 10th SS Panzer divisions. In WitP-AE, unless enemy is very weak, drop on enemy unit hex would not go well...

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Leandros

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

And if you drop them on enemy unit...great way to create your own "Mini-Arnhem" debacle...

The Britsh Paras at Arnhem wasn't even dropped on enemy bases but had to march towards them after landing some distance away.

Same with the Americans and Polish.

Fred

IIRC it was on the order of 12 miles which in game terms is a drop on top of the defenders.

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

ORIGINAL: Leandros

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

And if you drop them on enemy unit...great way to create your own "Mini-Arnhem" debacle...

The Britsh Paras at Arnhem wasn't even dropped on enemy bases but had to march towards them after landing some distance away.

Same with the Americans and Polish.

Fred

Yep, I know the operation and it's progress.

My point is that planners ignored presence of 9th and 10th SS Panzer divisions. In WitP-AE, unless enemy is very weak, drop on enemy unit hex would not go well...

I see no reason why Para units should not be able to jump anywhere. Only my opinion.

Fred

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Leandros

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

ORIGINAL: Leandros




The Britsh Paras at Arnhem wasn't even dropped on enemy bases but had to march towards them after landing some distance away.

Same with the Americans and Polish.

Fred

Yep, I know the operation and it's progress.

My point is that planners ignored presence of 9th and 10th SS Panzer divisions. In WitP-AE, unless enemy is very weak, drop on enemy unit hex would not go well...

I see no reason why Para units should not be able to jump anywhere. Only my opinion.

Fred

Not true! Jumping mid-ocean is frowned upon by all Paras for some reason. Maybe they don't teach swimming in para school ...

[Sardaukar]

Jumping into jungle or forest is not the recommended action either...

OTOH, jumping into clear hex should be OK but in some situations unbalancing to game.

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Not true! Jumping mid-ocean is frowned upon by all Paras for some reason. Maybe they don't teach swimming in para school ...

If only they had a say! Look at Sicily.

Fred
-----

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

Jumping into jungle or forest is not the recommended action either...

OTOH, jumping into clear hex should be OK but in some situations unbalancing to game.

Wouldn't that be a good reason to do it?

Fred
-----

[geofflambert]

The Japanese have superior airborne troops available to the Allied side. Not sure how restricting drops to bases is in the Japanese favor. I'd love to be able to drop my guys anywhere I want.

[Andy Mac]

1. I agree it would be wonderfull if airborne forces can land anywhere
2. The engine wouldnt allow it without a total re write which is why we didn't do it - it was on the list but didnt make the cut 10 years ago
3. Like it or not this game is centred on bases and base hexes its a pain but there it is
4. I wasnt even aware you could drop paras on an LCU outside of a base !!!

[geofflambert]

If I could drop anywhere I could cut every RR line hex within range of my transports, and the Japanese have some really looooooooooooooooooooong range transports. The enemy would have to occupy all those hexes to stop it.

[Ian R]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

1. I agree it would be wonderfull if airborne forces can land anywhere
2. The engine wouldnt allow it without a total re write which is why we didn't do it - it was on the list but didnt make the cut 10 years ago
3. Like it or not this game is centred on bases and base hexes its a pain but there it is
4. I wasnt even aware you could drop paras on an LCU outside of a base !!!

An educated guess would be that both ground units, and bases, are locations on the location database.

[rustysi]

Yes, and this is one of the strange pecularities in the game - and totally non-RL. I mean, that is the whole idea of paratroops,

I beg to differ, the whole idea of para's is that they have to drop on or near their objectives (not miles away) to be effective. If not they are in danger of being cut off and eliminated. The whole Market-Garden operation proves this, not just the British para's.

As for the Chindits, their objective was harassment. They had no real objective, other than to disrupt. They went in in small groups, were supplied by air, and walked out, because there were not any real front lines. In game terms, at 46 miles per hex, I don't think it really applies. You need a much smaller scale in order for their use not to be too effective.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

If I could drop anywhere I could cut every RR line hex within range of my transports, and the Japanese have some really looooooooooooooooooooong range transports. The enemy would have to occupy all those hexes to stop it.

[Leandros]

Exactly - that's life. That said, I believe there is a limitation on how many units you can split the paras into. To my knowledge you cannot split a battalion?

Fred