Trucks and Motorcycles

[vadersson]

Hey gang,

So maybe I am the worst mechinized infantry commander in the world. Anyone got any tips on the proper employment of Motorcycle troops and trucks carring rifle Platoons? I always seem to end with empty motorcycles and reduced by 5 results. Obviously the problem is that I am staying loaded too close to the enemy, but it feels like if I unload too far away I have to slog it into combat for several turns. Suggestions?

Thanks,
Duncan

[jimair1]

Unload early and start slogging.   The only other way around this is to get as close as possible out of line of sight.  Such as, behing a tree line or a village.  A last option is to make sure all the enemy units in LOS have expended all of their action points and cannot fire until the next turn

[1925frank]

Better safe than sorry.  I think the AI will go after trucks and motorcycles as a priority.  I believe Jason indicated on another post that he made trucks a priority, but he didn't explain why.  You have to be wary of the line of sight too, because sometimes you can be far away, but your trucks (and the loaded troops too) will get a series of direct hits.   I don't think you're missing anything.  The troop really are vulnerable when loaded.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: 1925frank

I believe Jason indicated on another post that he made trucks a priority, but he didn't explain why. 

Two reasons:

1. An opponent whom is "leading" with his trucks needs some tactical lessons. What better lesson is there to watching all your trucks disappear?

2. An opponent whom has lost their trucks is effectively immobile.

Jason Petho

[1925frank]

Do you think the AI makes trucks a priority? 
 
In "Ancient Enemies" in East Front, keeping the trucks safe was a chore.  The AI always seemed to have a line of sight from somewhere and was constantly zeroing in on the trucks.  That's the scenario that makes me think the AI will make trucks a priority, because my recollection was it was unforgiving in that respect.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: 1925frank

Do you think the AI makes trucks a priority? 

In "Ancient Enemies" in East Front, keeping the trucks safe was a chore.  The AI always seemed to have a line of sight from somewhere and was constantly zeroing in on the trucks.  That's the scenario that makes me think the AI will make trucks a priority, because my recollection was it was unforgiving in that respect.

Trucks are fairly high on the priority chain , yes. HQ's, Engineers, Trucks are all top priorities for the AI.

Jason Petho

[british exil]

Yep

I get the feeling that even if a rifle platoon is out of fire range but still in LOS they can call down motar fire and ART fire on the trucks. Found that out and lost half of my 105mm towed guns. That really hurts. Something I don't want to have happen again. But then again I love hitting his trucks full of troops. I love reading "passenger eliminated".


Mean job transporting units to the right spot, unloading and having to slog over open country. Better to slog units than have none left.

[1925frank]

That's right.  With a few exceptions (empty trucks?), most any enemy unit will act as a spotter for all of its side's artillery and motors. 
 
There's also the option for artillery by the map, but if you don't have a line of sight, the odds of hitting the intended hex are fairly low (one in seven or worse?).
 
Losing transported artillery is the worst.

[Erik2]

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho

ORIGINAL: 1925frank

Do you think the AI makes trucks a priority? 

In "Ancient Enemies" in East Front, keeping the trucks safe was a chore.  The AI always seemed to have a line of sight from somewhere and was constantly zeroing in on the trucks.  That's the scenario that makes me think the AI will make trucks a priority, because my recollection was it was unforgiving in that respect.

Trucks are fairly high on the priority chain , yes. HQ's, Engineers, Trucks are all top priorities for the AI.

Jason Petho

It looks like empty motorcycles are on that list too. I've had the AI pound them with artillery for several turns.
This is a bit futile as the MCs have no drivers. Better to leave them out of the list or assign drivers to MCs (and horses).

Erik

[schaef]

I believe that the motorcycles should be able to move just like the horses. I know the German Army in World War 2 had drivers for each Motorcylcle.

Jason: is this on the list of things to change?!!