[c_of_red]

That and the speed. An elephant with all his war kit on might hit 10KPH tops. Compare that to a MBT moving at 30+. With a fast MBT, deception tactics are possible. You also have to consider that a modern MBT can cross the biggest map in 3 or 4 turns if there is a road going that way and nothing to slow them down. If you don't watch your flanks, in 2 or 3 turns your opponent can be sitting behind you, laughing. Not a good position to find ones self in .