Merkava 4M AAMG vs Infantry

jivemi · #1 September 19th, 2018, 08:39 PM

In a current campaign in 2018 the Merkava 4Ms do not fire their AAMGs against infantry, even with their cannons turned off or down to 4 Heat rounds. Is this normal? Thanks.

Update: Now one immobilized Merkava IS firing, least at close range (400 meters in this case). Funny 'cuz the unit info gives both CMG and AAMG the same range (2400 meters IIRC). [Edit: Then it stopped firing again, dunno why--hasn't taken any more casualties]. Also, looking at a previous save there was one tank that fired once (it was down to 89 firing opportunities out of 90). Weird, no?

(FWIW replaying several saves Merk AAMGs usually fire within 300 meters, rarely beyond. One may use the "W" key to fire either MG but as noted the CMG alone will consistently fire beyond 300 meters without it.)

Suhiir · #2 September 19th, 2018, 09:44 PM

You're talking the Israeli OOB 4M?

Currently any weapon in weapon slot #4 acts as a bow machinegun, thus has a limited (60 degree to the front as I recall) arc of fire.

jivemi · #3 September 25th, 2018, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suhiir

You're talking the Israeli OOB 4M?

Currently any weapon in weapon slot #4 acts as a bow machinegun, thus has a limited (60 degree to the front as I recall) arc of fire.

Apparently this has been changed in the 2018 patch: "An AAMG (or autocannon) in slot #4 is no longer treated as a fixed bow weapon. AAMG and autocannon in any slot is now treated as having 360 degree traverse." Which doesn't explain why they don't fire at longer ranges (unless using the "w" key) but does eliminate one possibility.

jivemi · #4 September 19th, 2018, 10:37 PM

Yes, the Merkava MK 4M. They (AAMGs in slot #4) aren't firing at infantry. There've been countless opportunities to fire within the 60 degree frontal arc. Actually they haven't fired at all since after 4 battles (vs Russians, Syrians and Turks) there hasn't been a single airstrike. Curious, no?

shahadi · #5 September 20th, 2018, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jivemi

Yes, the Merkava MK 4M. They (AAMGs in slot #4) aren't firing at infantry. There've been countless opportunities to fire within the 60 degree frontal arc. Actually they haven't fired at all since after 4 battles (vs Russians, Syrians and Turks) there hasn't been a single airstrike. Curious, no?

Don't know why she ain't firing AAMG at infantry. I suppose, you could insert the AAMG into slot 2 or 3, to test what happens.

I want to ask about the typhoon Mangkhut. I heard it hit the PI hard. I hope your folk are okay. I wish you well and the people of the Philippines.

jivemi · #6 September 20th, 2018, 04:28 AM

OK thanks. Our family is in Cebu, the Central Visayas. We only got some strong gusts and relatively short periods of heavy rain as the typhoon's outflung spiral arms rotated over us. So we're OK. Luzon is north of us, and northern Luzon got hit pretty hard. This stuff happens every year, so one must simply grin and bear it. Cheers!

DRG · #7 September 25th, 2018, 07:41 AM

Merk 4M with all weapons off but the AAMG in slot 4

and during the AI's turn......

firing AAMG's at infantry at 400m

and at 600m

jivemi · #8 September 25th, 2018, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRG

Merk 4M with all weapons off but the AAMG in slot 4

and during the AI's turn......

firing AAMG's at infantry at 400m

and at 600m

Yes, the AAMG will fire with other weapons turned off or using the "w" key at all ranges. However they don't usually fire with other weapons turned on except at short ranges (mostly within 300 meters except the temporary case of an immobilized Merk within 400 meters of dug-in infantry). Please see updates to the OP above. (Usually when firing against infantry at MG range I turn the cannon off to preserve HEAT.)

Here are a couple saves from two battles (slots 60-61); note those tanks which fired CMGs while their AAMGs either didn't fire or hardly at all (except at close range):