Can tanks be reversed?

[Mave]

Is it possible in SP to reverse (move backwards, while facing forward) with a tank? It's annoying (and unrealistic) when you drive your tank into a position where you really don't want it to be... and only way to drawback is to turn you're vulnerable backside to the enemy's op-fire.

[BruceAZ_MatrixForum]

Nope. It is one of the game engine limitations. Use tactics to counter the op-fire by having other units in a over-watch role to cover the "back door" while you retreat. Many of the CS tanks or MBT's will fire smoke or a dismounted scout with a smoke grenade can be effective. Hope this helps. [:D]

Recon
Semper Fi

[Voriax]

No can do, unfortunately.

Voriax

[mattenhoff]

IIRC, there is a partial solution. It should be possible to keep your turret facing the enemy, no matter what direction you're driving to. It of course doesn't help the fact you're showing your butt (rear hull) to the enemy.

Ehhh, does someone remember how to keep the turret turned towards the enemy?[:o]

[Voriax]

You have to shoot at something Then the turret turns pointing to that direction and it will maintain that turret angle (relative to the map). When the tank moves around, only the hull changes direction. If the tank didn't fire yet then I think the turret will keep the angle it had during setup. Selecting a target but not firing at it will not turn the turret.

Voriax

[FNG]

With the tank selected, right click in the direction you wish the turret to face, then move. The turret will stay pointed where you left it. After moving, right click again in the direction of the enemy and the hull will align with the turret, putting your heaviest armour forward. Your butt is still exposed while moving unless you are hull down.

[Mave]

Kind of guessed it's not possible... Thanks for the confirmation. The turret helps a bit... but not too much.

[Resisti]

As Bruce said, many tanks have smoke rounds, that theu can fire in front of them to cover their retreat; some do have smoke DISCHARGERS, too.
Right click on your tank and check if any available.
If so, you can discharge the smoke grenades by hitting the “D” key.
Doing this will make the three front hexes to be filled by smoke.

[Mave]

Didn't know that one... thank you.

[Capt. Pixel]

ORIGINAL: Resisti

As Bruce said, many tanks have smoke rounds, that theu can fire in front of them to cover their retreat; some do have smoke DISCHARGERS, too.
Right click on your tank and check if any available.
If so, you can discharge the smoke grenades by hitting the “D” key.
Doing this will make the three front hexes to be filled by smoke.

"Front" is defined by the position of the turret, NOT the Hull. Face the turret first, as FNG stated, THEN fire your smoke discharger ('D' key) [8D]

[BruceAZ_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: Resisti

As Bruce said, many tanks have smoke rounds, that theu can fire in front of them to cover their retreat; some do have smoke DISCHARGERS, too.
Right click on your tank and check if any available.
If so, you can discharge the smoke grenades by hitting the “D” key.
Doing this will make the three front hexes to be filled by smoke.

Isn't that with late series MBT?

Recon
Semper Fi

[Resisti]

PIXEL: you're correct.

BRUCE: I really don't know, sorry. I just know how to check if one tank has it or not

[FNG]

ORIGINAL: BruceAZ
Isn't that with late series MBT?

IIRC some German tanks have them fairly early on (Pzkw-IIIe, StuGIIIb, etc., at work at the moment so can't check!) and other nations catch up later on.

[Voriax]

For germans the 'non-haves' are like Panther A and Maus for tanks, then perhaps half of the tank destroyers... And even the early armoured cars have smoke dischargers. In the US oob, for example just about the earliest tank with sd is M3 Lee.

Voriax