Parachutes in PBEM

[JVega]

Hey all.

I've got a question for you. I love using elite infantry and special forces stuff whenever I can in campaigns and scenarios, no matter the fact I'm not really all that good at it. But now that I'm starting to try to get into the PBEM scene, I'd like some tips at using them in multiplayer.

When is it a good idea to use parateoopers? For what purpose? Where to drop them? How to try and make sure they drop somewhere they wont be ripped apart?

I ask, 'cuz I've only once seen them used in PBEM, and it turned out disastrously. It was an attempt to kill my mortars and artillery (no offboard artillery was allowed). Though thanks to frontline 88's, I shot down one of the planes, while the other had it's cargo ripped appart by AAMGs. It was pretty bad. Only a handful survived. But I'm sure there IS a way to use paratroopers properly and cause some proper havoc amongst the enemy, though.

Your thoughts?

[azraelck]

Don't try to drop them right on the enemy positions if you can. Try and locate a relatively covered area (behind a hill or some trees) near where you want them to be; and use that as a drop zone.

Of course, given the game's magical spinning tanks of DOOM, with full 360 degree visibility and seemingly random ability to see and fire through trees and hills (one of my games has me being fired at from over a hill); there's no guarentee that'll work. Also, you never know how your opponent will deploy his forces; and a good spot may be teeming with enemy troops.

[JVega]

That's actually my biggest fear. Finding the perfect location and dropping in, only to find out the place is the opponent's reserves or arty+aa+inf place.

[azraelck]

Hit it with Arty prior to the drop :/

[IBTyrone]

I've never played PBEM, but I doubt the effectiveness of paratroops in PBEM unless there was a situation where it might seem practical. If you want to see how paratroopers fare in a PBEM between two experienced players, check out VikingNo2 and Hellcat's AAR over at the Depot:
http://spwaw.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8685&highlight=

Not pretty.[X(]

[JVega]

Brutal. Two companies completely obilirated, right? Not fun!


I guess it's safe to say I should avoid using paratroopers in PBEM's, then? Unless playing on a MASSIVE map.

[Mike Wood]

Hello...

Try to drop them away from suspected anti-aircraft positions and out of sight of suspected enemy concentrations. Do not drop them in woods, towns, rivers or streams or anywhere that could cause landing problems. Note that they may drift a hex or two, depending on wind speed and direction. The amount of casualties and suppression are determined by landing terrain and amount of fire taken by the aircraft, before drop. You might be better using gliders, if you wish them to land closer together and with less suppression, but glider landings should only be made in clear, level terrain.

Bye...

Michael Wood

ORIGINAL: JVega
Where to drop them[paratroopers]...

[JVega]

Using gliders actually doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. I'm gonna have to give that a try instead of my usual (ill fated) parachuting. Thanks.

[sabrejack]

I've used parachutes in PBEM only once so far. I managed to land about a company of US Airborne troops behind my opponent's main line of resistance, and tasked them with spreading out in platoons to capture (per turn) VHs and cause general havoc. They succeeded in tying up a large portion of his troops while my main force hit him from the front.

I think that as long as you've got a decent sized map, it's a viable strategy to use. Just do what everyone said - choose your landing site(s) very carefully, and a preliminary arty barrage is a good idea. (see here: http://www.spwaw.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... 2&start=40 for more details on making sure your arty lands BEFORE your paras, instead of just AFTER [:(])

[Zardoz]

I am not very familar with PBEM but I saw it in one of my rare PBEM games.

It was also a desatser for my opponent. His (German) paras landed with gliders directly in front of my armored reserve and were annihilated.

I think they should not directly land on hexes which are obviously valuable because they will be defended. One thougth of mine is to drop only spotters for a kind of "long range intelligence" or as FO's behind enemy lines. However, I have never tested it.