[Lt. Ketch]

This is a bump from quite a while ago, but as there have been new players since then, I thought others might want to see this.

As I'm playing with a force were every infantry unit ethier has an APC, Hummer or Helo to transport it, I apprecieated Mobhack's advice on how to effectively use them. I would also like to think that I've learned a little bit from the few battles my force has had.

I discovered early on in MBT that while choppers are cool, can cover huge distances, call down artillary and can be armed with some kick trash weaponry, they are expensive and easy to lose. In two PBEM games, I lost choppers early and unexpectedly even when I thought they were in a safe location, or moving through a safe location. They also require resupply often and take a little time to load and move (what with haveing to land and all). With all that said, I do appreciate what they can do and when points, and (most importantly) terrian allow me to buy and use them, I generally get them. I use my Attack choppers for ambush and longrange shots on targets that no one else can get to while transport choppers work like longrange APCs, faerring troops and provideing the occational cover fire. They also work well for evac of important units, but only when there is a break in firing. It doesn't make sense to try to rescue an expensive ATGM team if there is a change you might loose your 300 point chopper too. I rarly ever take my choppers to high altitude, perferring to skulk around the tree line to keep them out of sight.

I keep my APCs close to my infantry squads, (too close acording to Andy), preferring to move them both together with the APCs in the same square. This does put them in range of RPGs more, which is very bad, but it does give me the chance to bugger out farther when steel rain starts to fall. The US M113A3 APCs aren't bad little units, but I must confess their soviet/russian counterparts are superior to my mind. The next camp I do with APCs will probably by Russian. I really like the Hummers with 40mm AGLs too. They make for great scout vehicles and their armorment can get through light armor. Granted they only have five HEAT shells, but it's better than nothing. As my current force is two platoons of MECH infantry with only two light airborne tanks to support it, I often find myself with my APCs leading. This acually suits my purposes rather well as I tend to play a lot more defensive than offensive. I'll find the enemy and then try to make him come to me. My reactionism isn't the best strategy, I know, as I got my butt handed to me by a very aggressive player, but it can work in most situations. I'm still branching out on tactics and Mobhawk's advice will come in handy.