Targeting the guy with the stars

[Erse]

If there's an enemy HQ in range of my Tac/Med bombers (but behind the frontline), does it make sense to bomb it instead of attacking the troops in front?
Every bit of damage should reduce the buff and extra supply it distributes, right?

[Platoonist]

If there's an enemy HQ in range of my Tac/Med bombers (but behind the frontline), does it make sense to bomb it instead of attacking the troops in front?
Every bit of damage should reduce the buff and extra supply it distributes, right?

Seems like a good idea. Just make sure the target HQ doesn't have a hidden flak buddy he's really "attached" to.

Flak-Trap.jpg (27.15 KiB) Viewed 522 times

[Erse]

Seems like a good idea. Just make sure the target HQ doesn't have a hidden flak buddy he's really "attached" to.

But would you say - from your experience - that's it's generally more efficient than targeting frontline troops?

[Umeu]

It depends on the situation. If damaging or killing the HQ means you are cutting off from or putting in low supply a bunch of units, then the HQ is more important. Otherwise, it is often better to kill units imo. But if your bombers can finish it off in one go, then it might be better again as HQs are expensive to replace.

It also matters whether the HQ is a defending or attacking nation. If defending, a 1 strength hq is as effective at commanding as a 10 strength one, one supply is not always as much of an issue. When attacking, the hq supply distribution is arguably even more important than the command bonus, and there damaging can be very effective still.

I think damage doesnt affect the command rating, but it does affect the bonus from veterancy, at least I have seen my units get better odds after damaging but not killing a veteran hq.

[Platoonist]

But would you say - from your experience - that's it's generally more efficient than targeting frontline troops?

It's all situational. What if turns out that HQ your recon spotted behind the line has been sitting in the same spot for a few turns and is now well entrenched? Your bomber attack might go thud doing little or no damage when it could have softened up a frontline position you had solid intel on. HQs can be strangely resilient sometimes depending on the terrain they're in. Plus, I think any adverse effects from a reduced HQ won't really kick in until your opponent's turn giving him time to recover. However, if I spotted one already at reduced strength, I'd certainly give it a go as one of the chief weaknesses of an HQ is that they can only rebuild incrementally.

It's an interesting question though.

[Chernobyl]

You want to be targeting a HQ that is actually a critical supplier of enemy troops. I think it works best when you're on the defensive. Whether you actually do a point of damage or not depends on things like entrenchment, your bomber's upgrade level, etc.

Another similar trick is to damage an enemy city that provides supply to an enemy HQ. Knocking the HQ's base supply down from 6 to 5 causes it to dish out 8 supply points instead of 10. In turn, this can reduce the combat effectiveness of many enemy enemy units in the area, but more critically can reduce their movement points, prevent full repair, etc. The overall effect can be much larger than simply damaging an enemy unit.

You can sometimes guess where the enemy HQ is based off intel of enemy units, when you look at their supply levels.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Yep like everybody has said above, very situational.
Another indirect way to degrade those enemy Hq experience pips (stars) is to destroy units that are under its command.
Keep hammering and you will see those stars blink out slowly but surely.
Of course this process is a double bladed sword.....