Matrix Games Forums

Quick question for the gallery. Does it make sense to launch attacks with Isolated Units?

The answer is clearly yes if it is done in conjunction with opening a pocket (by causing fatigue to a unit, so your comrades outside can push it out of the way). I get that.

But, why not just attack out anyway, if the situation is obviously hopeless (which for the 1941 Reds, it oftentimes is). These attacks are at hopeless odds and doomed to fail, but I still see some benefits.

UPSIDE:
1. Many Comrades are KIA. But with new Hiwi rules, that denies some Hiwis to Germans.
2. DISABLEDS go into your disabled pool, and will trickle back the rest of the game. They basically escape (sort of)
3. You can cause German units to take on fatigue and expend ammo

DOWNSIDE:
1. Germans can gain morale; BUT, it's not like Germans dont' have enough opportunity for this anyway (like next turn when they cause surrenders). Often, German units are topped-off anyway, so only a lucky die roll will increase morale
2. Units are depleted, and may resist less next turn (surrender vs. retreat)

I see more upside than downside. But I may be wrong.

Thoughts from experienced players?

For the Soviets? No.

Never give the Germans a free morale boost. This goes for suicidal soak off attacks generally.

Morale is king, all that other stuff you mention is in my view trivial.

Another downside: you're feeding wins to the other guy's generals, who you probably want to have sacked.

Don't listen to Flavio. All those guys in the Vyazma pocket should attack until they're unready, and after that, move around a lot to run out their MPs...[;)]

I've thought about this as well. If the attack from inside the pocket can disrupt 'encircler unit' just enough that a relief force might gain a victory, displace the unit and releive the pocket, then yes I do 'hopless' attacks from inside a pocket. It is depressing how 3 powerful units have a combined CV of 1 point though. Once you do de-isolate the pocket, but you know it is only temporary, if you wish to spend the APs send SU;s attached to about-to-die Corps back to the Army HQ. I 'think' this saves people and armaments.

I wonder if 3 small 1:20 attacks by isolated units cause more fatigue on the German units than a single 1:6 attack?