Thermal Imaging and Smoke Dischargers

[lansoar]

A question I've had for a long time as a SP2/SPMBT player.

How effective in reality were TTS systems when used in a specific way in game. A tactic I noted right away from both players and the AI, was when a TTS equipped AFV is fired on, smoke dischargers are fired.

As far as the game is concerned, this is the equivalent to deploying Star Trek shields. Even the best OPFORCE cannot counter it if they do not also possess TTS. The smoke discharging unit can simply sit in a 3 hex shield of smoke and fire away with immunity.

I once asked an 80s tank veteran if this was a taught tactic and got.....a cryptic answer. Not sure why. It may have come down to that person not understanding the context re: game vs real life.

I've been enjoying a series of MBT late 80s Cold War era scenarios recently and the challenge of facing a dug in NATO force (delay or Assault) was highlighted in regards to TTS. So I'll toss the question out there again.