Using Standoff Tactics to Exploit Artillery Range Advantage

[Comodoro]

Hi

I'm currently attempting to command a unit to exploit a range advantage offered by its artillery against an enemy unit. More specifically, I want my unit to keep a minimum standoff distance from the enemy unit, remaining just outside the enemy's own artillery range but within my own.

I tried to accomplish this by setting up an exclusion zone around the enemy unit, with reference points fixed to the enemy contact. However, these points seemed to remain static and did not provide the desired effect, even being fixed or relative points.

(and no, the "Maintain Standoff to Target" setting in Doctrine had no effect in any case)

Is there any way to command our units not to approach the enemy beyond a certain minimum distance? Ideally, I'd like this to happen automatically, with my unit maintaining a consistent distance from the enemy to take full advantage of our artillery range.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

[DaveFromCTX]

Tagging along.

Having a tab similar to targeting priority but for "avoid wez of" would be helpful. For DCA it would be off but for non-combat a/c like tankers, they would automatically evade threats (enemy fighters coming toward them)

[Comodoro]

I believe that it should be possible to attach reference points to enemy contacts (including the inaccuracies that this may entail), as well as being able to give the order or make a Doctrine setting that establishes a firm distance between our forces and the enemy's.

I understand that this would be useful in all areas, although my current focus is on ASuW operations.

[lumiere]

For land units, how about (manually however) setting unit speed to stop (0kt)?

Surface units can set "ignore plotted course when attacking" doctrine to "No" to strictly follow the waypoint, not endlessly closing to the enemy.

Reference Point relative to non-player unit currently can be set only in God's eye view mode.

[Comodoro]

For land units, how about (manually however) setting unit speed to stop (0kt)?

Surface units can set "ignore plotted course when attacking" doctrine to "No" to strictly follow the waypoint, not endlessly closing to the enemy.

Reference Point relative to non-player unit currently can be set only in God's eye view mode.

From what I am inferring, it appears that there is no way to give the order or establish that units be cautious regarding distances with the enemy (or the existing one does not work), beyond some level of "micro" in terms of typical RTS games.

[thewood1]

I'm pretty sure the standoff switch in RoEs is only for surface ship warfare. As far as I have experience with it, ground warfare still requires some micro.

[Comodoro]

I'm pretty sure the standoff switch in RoEs is only for surface ship warfare. As far as I have experience with it, ground warfare still requires some micro.

As soon as I can, I will conduct some tests, but I couldn't prevent my surface vessels from getting too close to an enemy unit they were engaging while the standoff setting ROE was activated.

"Getting too close" means getting closer than the required distance for our cannon fire before entering the enemy's firing range, which is shorter than our weapon's range.

[thewood1]

I have never actually used that setting so am interested in any findings. It might only refer to missiles.

[Comodoro]

I have never actually used that setting so am interested in any findings. It might only refer to missiles.

Well, in the scenario "Seconds out round two!", I adress one of my groups of SAAR 2 corvettes armed with Gabriel missiles and 40mm/70 Breda cannons (range of 3nm) to approach the East, where they will encounter two Syrian Komar boats (armed with Styx missiles but also with 25mm/80 Twin cannons, range of 1.5nm).

In Side Doctrine/WRA, I specify that the missiles should not be automatically launched against anyone (reserving them for ground targets) and I adjust the deck batteries to be able to fire against surface ships. I make sure that "Maintain standoff to target" is activated for both the Side and the groups, then I give the order to activate OECM.

With no waypoints, engines stopped, and in sight of the Komar boats, I select the mentioned attack group and give the direct attack order (F1). This attack group sets off towards its target, heading decisively towards it. The OECM effectively do their job and enemy Styx launches are easily jammed. The problem arises when my ships close the distance to less than 3nm from their targets and do not open fire, even to the point of crossing paths (were they seeking a collision?), where distances are measured in mere meters and being harassed by enemy gunfire.

At this point, I select the group and give the Shift-F1 order against the target, and when the weapons dialog opens, the Breda cannons, which I have been waiting for to automatically engage, are green with automatic fire allowed, but they literally haven't fired (because they didn't feel like it?)

It is likely that I have overlooked something, and I would greatly appreciate if you could indicate what it might be, if you know. But, I will now quote the manual (the latest revision we have here in the forum):

(Regarding Doctrine and ROE settings)

Maintain Standoff: If enabled, units will attempt to stay inside the range of their own weapons but outside that of their known opponents. If disabled, they will charge the target and attempt to engage with every available weapon (which can range from a destroyer firing its missiles and closing to gun range knowing the danger, or it can be a missile boat with only a machine gun on deck trying to engage with that).

In light of this, I believe I can say that this setting simply does not work. If it only works with missiles, it is... incomplete, in my opinion. I don't see much sense in it not applying to other types of weapons where distances can be much more critical for obvious reasons.

Once again, if I am mistaken (which I would prefer to be), I would greatly appreciate the corresponding clarification.

[thewood1]

You really need to post a save of this in the tech support forum. There are just too many individual settings to continue guessing at it.