Flak gun calibers - do they matter?

[TonkinRaider]

Is there any point in smaller calibers for flak guns in the game?

Seems like twin 100 mm is more effective against low flying aircraft (according to stats) in this game than far more lighter 50 mm caliber weapon -for some reason...

According to the stats in descriptions, there is no movement penalty for the heavy piece either.

This is my first game and I am still figuring out how to play it (turn 75) so maybe I am missing some detail here....

[Soar_Slitherine]

50mm flak consumes 8.2 ammo per combat round and has to carry around 165 units of ammunition per subunit, which can be an issue if you are having logistics bandwidth issues or have to strategically redeploy them. Bigger AA guns guzzle even more ammunition.

[zgrssd]

Absolutely it matters, but not in the way you may think

Any Flak except the T1, has a 1 Hex AA range. Being able to cover 7 hexes is a pretty big ability. Range becomes crazy with SAM launchers.
Depeneding on the callibre, the weapons deal 50/75/100/100% vs high flying aircraft

So you absolutely want to get the T3 ASAP - you got coverage and full defense against high fliers. The T4 hower is a bit more dubious.

[Akrakorn]

zgrssd is right. Check the manual entry for more information on this:

[BlueTemplar]

Yeah, so also being tech gated... also maybe the capex cost ?

[TonkinRaider]

Thanks to all who responded [:)]

Maybe I was lucky with the dice regarding the tech but since I got access to all flak types at once (same with artillery and cannons) the moment I unlocked the flak model, I did not link the different calibers to the different technology levels.

[BlueTemplar]

Yeah, sure, if you start on Tech level 5...

It's kind of weird to see "Tech 3" on that table since you can't start "earlier" than that...

BTW, I'm suspecting now that you need Tech levels 4 - 5 - 6 (?),
to respectively unlock the 180 - 240 - 300mm Howitzers ? (And not only on Artillery ?) (And High Velocity Guns ?) (Any even bigger ones ?)