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I brought the topic time ago but this is another example of excessive fort reduction in a failed attack with a well-entrenched units. That end up being meaningless to try to hold any historic fortification in the game, soviet has to run always. Is not just 4 level decrease. Is that fortification 5 is suppose to be a real fortress, like Maginot. Even if you want to destroy or remove it in a peacetime, in 7 days you barely will do anything. Also can not be the same reduction from level 2 -> 1 than from 5->4, the scale is in another level completely.

Of course is my opinion and I don’t want to annoy anyone, but I think the fortification system is pretty arcade taking account the details in other areas of the game.

So it's at hand:

Living Manual 1.30, p.338f wrote:20.4.3. Fort Level Reduction in Combat

Fort levels can be reduced during combat [...] due to the impact of very heavy artillery guns.

Artillery (especially Heavy Artillery) can also cause small fort reductions during combat.

In summary, the impact on fortifications of combat is:
• From artillery fire during fire combat, with heavy artillery weapons causing
the greatest reduction. These reductions are generally small fractional
reductions;

[...]

Errata 1.04.03 – A hex’s fort level will never fall below 75 points due to artillery
fire (level 1 plus 50% toward level 2).

It appears the heavy seige guns are finally doing what was intended. Maybe too much, although I wouldn't expect a 1941 collection of Soviet units to be able to hold out against a determined German assault.

Ah gee, dont get me started.

To be honest the game does need a mechanism for reducing forts, loading up with heavy artillery and pioneers, but what gets me that it comes at no extra cost. Typically the Axis casualties will be 200 - 300, just like any other unfortified combat. Really?

Thats why my directive is to RUN.

56ajax wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 12:54 am Thats why my directive is to RUN.

The $64,000 question, of course, is how far?

M60A3TTS wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 2:53 am

56ajax wrote: Mon Jun 09, 2025 12:54 am Thats why my directive is to RUN.

The $64,000 question, of course, is how far?

Until your opponent loses their nerve. Against a good Axis player you are going to lose Leningrad. I expect the front in late 41 to be east of Leningrad and west of Moscow and Rostov.

I will say that you should try and analyse your opponents method and if you can distract them.

Joel Billings wrote: Sat Jun 07, 2025 10:55 pm I wouldn't expect a 1941 collection of Soviet units to be able to hold out against a determined German assault.

Germans want in 41' Germans take

The "Super Heavy Artillery" seems to be the main Fort destroyer and has an extreme multiplier per gun to it. Heavy Artillery does not even remotely come close (likely is even the same as regular Artillery(?)).

Some numbers (not 100% clear, in how far/why/to whcih extend they change when Fort is lvl 5 or if Guns are missing/the TOE-% changes):
A Karl SU with 2 Karls has a stable/constant 60 Reduction (so 1.2 Fort Levels or -120%).
The 300mm+ Skoda SU with 5 guns has a stable/constant 20 Reduction (so 0.4 Fort Levels or -40%).