British Commando Units

[Cross]

Hi Marek,

BTW, I see this as an interesting discussion, not an argument.

Originally Posted by Marek_Tucan

But Commandos are not "standard" infantry, right?

Commando are not standard infantry. But Paras, Ghurkas, Engineers and Calvalry are also not 'standard', yet are consistently represented in SP by whole sections, not two fire teams.

Originally Posted by Marek_Tucan

A section with LMG and AT rifle is hardly a "support baggage" and you forget that more smaller units have also significant advantages, that tend to suit better special units than regular infantry - for example more tactical independence exercised by their members compared to regular infantry, here it would be simulated by fact the platoon has more elements that are able to maneuver independently.
As the illustration of another extreme there is that Russian company of 10 tanks treated game-wise as a single platoon, simulating on the contrary significantly less tac independence of given army.

Small units do have limited advantages in SP; detection being one, and as you said, tactical independance. If I could be Devil's Advocate' for a moment, why should Commando Troop 'squads/sections' get better tactical independence than other elite units in SP? They already get much higher experience/morale. Though ironically, sections kept as a cohesive unit (not two fire teams) will survive much better in most SP situations.

As for platoons of 10 tanks simulating less tactical independence, I agree. But that’s also the problem that the current Commando Troop has, with one officer responsible to rally 9 ‘sections/units’. My latest suggestion (see above) would make this formation less spread out and far more manageable; and in most situations, more effective.

Originally Posted by Marek_Tucan

Again we must agree to disagree, I would say that also purchase-wise, having a Troop consist of two Sections, these consisting of a wider mix of units (LMG sections, rifle sections, engineer sections) lets you to fine-tune the composition better, ie is more flexible. You want a close-in work? You buy the "Rifle section" with satchel charges and SMGs. Want "long-range work"? You take that with rifles and a sniper rifle... etc. Besides by having "big squads", you encounter another bit of inflexibility called "4 weapon slots"

I think Andy came up with a good solution to the 4 slot limit by suggesting a engineer class section. You can also add support units to a troop, like HMGs, snipers, mortars etc. which will give you greater tactical flexibility.

Originally Posted by Marek_Tucan

And my thoughts are that if you transform the Cdo troop to a basic SP light inf platoon, then why have them at all? They should be exceptional, as they were IRL as well, compared to elite line infantry. They did things a different way.

I don’t think the suggested changes will turn them into another light infantry platoon. They will have better experience, morale, leadership, weapons, abilities and can move faster. They will be more consistent with SP, and IMHO far more effective.

If you want the multiple small units, then you can still use the Royal Marine Commando Troops, which I’d leave 'as is' at this point.
So we'd have greater flexibilty, in that we could choose to use Army Commando (front line oriented formations) or RM Commando (stealth oriented formations).

Cheers,
Cross