Matrix Games Forums

When doing a complex attack the angle of separation (The difference in direction between the your 2 attacking forces i.e. an attack from the North and South would have a 180 degree angle of separation) of the 2 or more forces is very important. I find that when using the computer complex attack the angle of separation is very small. What are other people experiences and are there ways to make the AI uses a higher angle of separation,

Well, as I understand it to get the AI to have multiple axis of attack, you must not specify the FUP. I've never tried that.

I have used complex attacks many time, but always with a single axis in line formation.

Well, let us know what happens. Have you tried a trail of bread crumbs?

I do not specify FUP but I still get small angle of separation in an AI generated complex attack. I can do much better in angle of attack if I order individual battalion to attack with FUP but sometimes these attack are not synchronized so I try to keep some unit (armour) in aggressive defensive mode supplying suppressive fire at right angle to the attacks.
Use 1 armour unit to fire at east use and attack from the north and south. I frequently like to control my armor units individually (their combat power is equivalent to an infantry battalion especially when you consider long range fire) in an aggressive defensive fire mode especially when attack against infantry friendly ground which is 90% of the battlefield when you consider, polder, trees and urban area. I find I can choose better then the computer where to place armour unit to take advantage of thsir long range fire.

Just one note: In my eperience, the larger the force, more the variation you can get.

In bde sized attacks I have seen atacks with almost 90º of angular separation between axis of attack. Althought not the norm.

While the text books say that it's best to get a 90 degree angle between two assault axis or between the fire support and assault axis. This rarely is achieved in practice. There are a whole host of reasons for this in RL, including flank security, time and space, available approaches and suitable terrain, not to mention other enemy forces. The most common separation is 30 to 45 degrees. Enough for each axis to provide supporting fire and with FUPs close enough that can be reached by both assault groups in about the same time. After having chosen the best main approach, the AI in HTTR determines a series of alternate approach routes, ensuring there is a minimum exclusion zone around the objective and main FUP. It then evaluates these using a number of factors, including enemy firepower, speed, cover, time to FUP, etc and chooses what it thinks is the best one.

While fire support between unit is important for infantry units especially paratroopers, armour and some other units (AT and AA Guns) can supply aggressive defense fire at right angle or more. I think that 130 degree starting angle will guarantee long-term flank fire.