Tactical Artillery Tip

[Jagger2002]

Ok, I have finally won a scenario. My third game was Skyline Drive and my understanding of how the game plays is finally starting to click together.

The key discovery is this isn't a typical hex game where you want a continuous front and the objective is simply rushing forward units to max out your attack points vs defense points at adjacent hexes. Terrain, line of sight and artillery are very important in this game. For artillery to be effective, it needs effective recon of the target hex. Terrain and good LOS are big factors on knowledge of enemy unit positions. So on offense, the more recce on the target hex the better. On defense, hiding your units in good defensive terrain reduces the recce and thus impact of artillery. A continuous line with exposed forces is not good because units in the open are going to become artillery target and get clobberd by artillery.

Basically, don't put your units in the open unless you have a good reason. Infantry out in the open is going to get effectively hit by artillery. Don't expose your units to artillery until there is a reason for them to be in the open. So use the terrain, maximize recce and watch LOS when considering the impact of artillery.

[comsolut]

All good points. Hopefully get a War Room forum for consolidation of tips, tactics, and strategy.

Personally, I'm finding about 50% of my attacks as ranged, particularly AT guns versus tanks and even as the German, Tank ranged against Allied Tanks.

Also against low recon targets, attacking with recon in force to limit casualties until I determine what I'm up against.

It's great the game has a variety of attack options, rather than just bull rush everything.

[Jagger2002]

Yes, towards the end of the game I started realizing the value recon and recon in force in producing better targets for artillery.

It seems in many cases, it is better to soften up the target and then launch that devastating attack. Although time always seems so short that rushed attacks often seem necessary.

[Nico165b165]

And don't forget air artillery: US Air attack against panzer in the open is deadly...

[Jagger2002]

And don't forget air artillery: US Air attack against panzer in the open is deadly...

Fortunately the weather is often bad enough that air is not a major issue. And I am guessing if there is good weather predicted, it is time to make certain vulnerable targets end their turns in cover.