Hull Down command?

[Phoenix]

I have searched the manual. I have tried searching the forum but I can't find out how this is used in FB. It's been years since I played CM, so my apologizes for asking what may be a really simple question. 

 

TIA! 

[user1000]

I know it was in combat mission 1 games but In my trials of using the command, it doesn't work or is still being worked on.

[Phoenix]

Strange to include the button but not have any function other than what appears to just be a regular move command. 

[Vanir Ausf B]

Issuing a Hull Down command is a two-step process. The first step is plotting the movement. Using the Hull Down Command you plot a movement path usually a short distance past where you want to be hull down because you have to be able to trace direct line of sight from the end of the movement line to wherever you want to be hull down to. That lets you do the second step which is clicking on the waypoint at the end of the movement line and Targeting (or Target Briefly, doesn't matter) the spot you want to be hull down to, same as if you were plotting area fire but in this context the tank won't shoot, it's just how you tell the game where you want to be hull down relative to. The tank will then stop moving when it is hull down to that spot or it reaches the end of the movement line, whichever comes first, but if you do it correctly it should almost always stop prior to the end. But if you don't Target from the endpoint the tank will treat the Hull Down movement command like a normal movement order and drive the full distance every time. 
 

[Badger73]

48 minutes ago, Vanir Ausf B said:

Issuing a Hull Down command is a two-step process. The first step is plotting the movement. Using the Hull Down Command you plot a movement path usually a short distance past where you want to be hull down because you have to be able to trace direct line of sight from the end of the movement line to wherever you want to be hull down to. That lets you do the second step which is clicking on the waypoint at the end of the movement line and Targeting (or Target Briefly, doesn't matter) the spot you want to be hull down to, same as if you were plotting area fire but in this context the tank won't shoot, it's just how you tell the game where you want to be hull down relative to. The tank will then stop moving when it is hull down to that spot or it reaches the end of the movement line, whichever comes first, but if you do it correctly it should almost always stop prior to the end. But if you don't Target from the endpoint the tank will treat the Hull Down movement command like a normal movement order and drive the full distance every time. 
 

Excellent explanation!  Thank you.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Badger73

[MikeyD]

Hull down is not the be-all-and-end-all and needs to be used with care. It will work if you take these into account.

1) if you plot a distant hull-down waypoint over unpassable terrain tiles (water, heavy forest, etc) bad things will happen.

2) if gunner vision is obstructed when you reach your hull-down position (bushes, fences, foliage, etc) the vehicle will just keep going until it finds another hull-down position or it reaches the destination point.

3) its dangerous to do in mid-battle. A moving vehicle has lower situational awareness and is easier to be spotted than a stationary vehicle. The enemy will spot you moving into position and try to hit you. If, on the other hand, you get into position and await the oncoming enemy you'll get the first shots off and return fire is likely to impact the ground in front of you.

4) Hull down is not a protective force field. After a couple high and low near misses the incoming rounds are going to find the gun mantle.

[Phoenix]

Thanks so much! Very helpful. 

This is how it worked in the original CM isn't it? 

[Vanir Ausf B]

1 hour ago, Phoenix said:

This is how it worked in the original CM isn't it? 

It's been so long I don't remember anymore.

[Erwin]

I don't recall using the target command to better orient a hull down position.  IIRC one simply clicked "Hulldown".  It didn't work well.  Never used it.  Some folks here seem to like the CM2 hulldown system a lot better.  Us old-timers are used to doing it by eye.  Hopefully, BF didn't use many resources to include it as a feature.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Erwin