AT Teams Are Slaughterig Me -- HELP!!!

[Krotos]

Hi folks,

Sorry for posting so many questions of late. It is just that I am really enthusiastic about the game (being a long time SPWaW Fan) but am having a great deal of difficulty adjusting to MBT.

Can someone please give me some advice about methods of dealing with AI AT-Teams. I have started a few generated campaigns and quit them all after about 6 turns is complete frustration. While I can deal with enemy armour, enemy AT-Teams rip the guts out of my tanks every game. Using terrain and manouver tactics doesn't seem to help -- those (usually numerous) hidden enemy AT teams shatter my tanks every time they break cover to take a victory hex. In one game, I had 6 leopard Is wiped out in a single turn...and that after the entire enemy force was all but wiped out. Artillery doesn't seem to help vs. infantry much as they appear extremely diffucult to suppress. Moreover, my own APCs are wiped out before I can get withing a anything resembling a reasonable distance to return fire.

So my question is this: What is the best tactic for dealing with AT Teams and AT missiles in general. Having my core force decimated every game (within seconds) isn't really fun. I need help. Please understand I am not a bewbie to this kind of game. I am extremely proficcient at SPWaW...but the tactics I use there are suicidal in this game. Please help!!!

Regards,

Krotos

[Mobhack]

In the Game Guide you will find a section entitled "Game Play Notes", it is worth a read.

E.g this paragraph may be of benefit:

Once ATGM become common, your artillery becomes a prime method of neutralising these weapons, especially if primarily infantry types fired on foot, but ATGM vehicles tend to be lighter armoured and so more vulnerable to HE fire, and get slaughtered by AT bomblets. Do not bother to wait for these to fire, identify likely good firing positions for long range AT weapons, and smoke these off from your advancing troops or shell likely firing positions as policy

So - are you smoking off the possible lines of fire, dropping HE on the likely (or revealed) firing positions and so on? (Remember that once out of smoke ammo, HE fires will kick up dust as well)

Cheers
Andy

[Krotos]

Hi Andy,

Thank you ever so much for the reply. The truth is, sometimes I smoke off likely firing positions and sometimes I cannot. I have been trying to play campaigns in the 2006-2008 range in the middle east. Because I only have 3900 buy points at the beginning of campaigns, I am forced to buy the least expensive tanks available and the least expensive infantry -- usually 3 platoons of each. Once this is done, I don't have anything left for organic artillery. I try to buy artillery with support points, but sometimes the map dictates that I spend the points on more important things...like infantry etc. I will keep at it though.

I think it would be of benefit to all newcomers to this game to set up a Strategy Forum. In such a forum, more experienced players. As I said, I am not an inexperienced gamer...but I am finding the learning curve very steep.

[Mobhack]

1) Set the core points you want before generating the campaign in the preferences screen.

2) There really is no need for a tactics page (there is no "strategy" in this game as the level is too low, it is not even at the operational level . There is a sticky with links to the US Army tactical field manuals on the main page, as well as the tactical help section of the manual, and tactical threads are welcomed on the AAR forum as well. (See the one on use of air mobile and panzergrenadiers in there for example).

I would recommend FM 71-23 as a starter
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...rmy/fm/71-123/

Read the Coy and Bn parts, ignoring BDE, and also look at the "threat" sections which describe OPFOR approaches to tactics (i.e. Soviet-style).

3) If a beginner, then leaping into modern times, with its lehtality of kit is probably not the best idea. Try the early 1970's or so as a starter period.

Cheers
Andy

[czerpak]

another way could be (and I am NOT joking here, trust me) - do not buy armor !
Opponents points spent on AT teams will be simply wasted

I know driving Leo's thru virtual battlefield is fun, but it is even better fun to kill'em with your infantry.

[Cameronius]

Don't buy cheap junk!
Look for these values when purchasing units.
VIRSS and ARENA shots are excellent for giving your tanks better survivablity.
Good morale and experience values can be the edge you need to win.

[JohnHale]

Krotos,

I would echo The Walrus' advice - join a Ladder, and start playing PBEM. Once converted (perverted?) over to the Dark Side, you'll become an addict. ;-))

In addition to the Blitz, you may also consider joining-up at the StrategyZone Online site:

http://sp.xtreme-gamer.com/

Here, there are separate ladders for the 3 main incarnations of SP: SPWW2, SPWAW and SPMBT


John