Matrix Games Forums

I seem to recall that the 6 lb. artillery automatically upgraded to 12 lb. in 1862. Is
this correct?

Independent 6 lbs elements upgrade, those in brigades do not.

I'm in to early 1863 and no upgrades yet. Are we sure this is working?

Jim

I think they have 7% chance to upgrade for every experience star they have. Since artillery get their stars rarely, you have rare upgrades. I always thought automatic upgrade of artillery rather unrealistic. How do you upgrade 6lbs to 12lbs without purchasing bigger guns in RL?
So "gamey", buy all the 6lbs you can get tactics, is not so good as before.

ORIGINAL: Ace1

I think they have 7% chance to upgrade for every experience star they have. Since artillery get their stars rarely, you have rare upgrades. I always thought automatic upgrade of artillery rather unrealistic. How do you upgrade 6lbs to 12lbs without purchasing bigger guns in RL?
So "gamey", buy all the 6lbs you can get tactics, is not so good as before.

I agree artillery upgrades shouldn't be automatic, but I wish there was an option to invest in upgrading 6 lb units. One reason is for historical accuracy. By Antietam/Sharpsburg the Army of the Potomac had no 6 lb field pieces left in service, the Army of Northern Virginia only had a handful. I am less familiar with their use in the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters, although I suspect they were used in those areas longer.

Also, I feel the current system gives players less options. In AACWII I have found myself avoiding building brigades with integrated artillery pieces because I know they're going to stay 6 lb the entire game. I believe there should either more infantry-only brigades available, or an ability to invest in upgrading 6 lbs at some point starting in 1862.

At the start of the war the Union had only 4 12lb guns all in one battery. This battery saved their butts at 1st Bull Run. Afterward the artillery upgrades began.

In Virginia the CSA had a lead in the 12lb Napoleons and other guns. 6lbers were being melted down for their brass. They had started a program to improve their field guns some years before.

The 12lb cannon were gun-howitzers which meant they could also fire shells. Most light artillery batteries had at least a couple of 12lb guns. Other than horse artillery, there should be no light artillery that does not upgrade. However, they were the largest practical field guns. Cannon larger than 12lbs should be considered heavy artillery and come with some movement penalties.

Either make the upgrades automatic as before for all batteries (independent or integrated), or just take the 6lb guns out of the game. The notion both sides are stuck using 6lbers for the entire war is far worse than free upgrades and shows a lack of clear thinking on this issue when it comes to historical accuracy…

Jim

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns

Either make the upgrades automatic as before for all batteries (independent or integrated), or just take the 6lb guns out of the game. The notion both sides are stuck using 6lbers for the entire war is far worse than free upgrades and shows a lack of clear thinking on this issue when it comes to historical accuracy…

Jim

+1