akdavis

Don't forget the demo scenario "Citadel Schwerpunkt." It's classic Kursk!

"Won't you try my product today?"

I setup a little test with the editor involving 9 unsupported T-34s, 15 veteran FJ tankhunter teams armed with magnetic mines and a couple of mortar spotters. Think punishment battalion scene from the movie "Stalingrad." With a single large objective flag at the end of a narrow, flat and treeless map, I setup the tankhunters in a staggered row across the center of the map, dug-into foxholes in the snow. I assign each a 30m, 180 deg. cover armor arc facing to the rear. The two spotters wait for the t-34s to approach, then force them to button-up with a little HE love. I've run it through a couple times and so far I've only been able to take 2-3 tanks per test. The AI ain't stupid. The mortars can only last so long, and as soon as they stop or the tanks clear the AoE, the TCs unbutton. Also, the AI invariable leaves several tanks to the rear in overwatch, so as the bulk of the tanks run right over the foxholes, the covering tanks tear anyone to pieces who pops their little blond head up. Next I'm going to try dropping the mortars right on top of the tanks as they cross the foxholes, ensuring they stay buttoned, but I have feeling my little tankhunters aren't going to appreciate this tactic. Conclusion so far: tankhunters are brave little bastards, but against large numbers of armor, theirs is truly a suicide mission. Ooh, question I forgot to ask: I noticed in the editor that magnetic mines are not available until 43. I thought these were one of the earlier German infantry AT weapons, but perhaps I'm mistaken? [ September 30, 2002, 12:17 AM: Message edited by: akdavis ]

I double checked, and unfortunately this is not the case. CTRL automatically sets the arc to 180 deg., but allows you to set the distance and direction. SHIFT does the same, but sets the distance to maximum. It is still limited to 180 degrees. After playing a bit tonight, it seems that units generally hold fire when issued the MOVE command (infantry at least), so this may not be a problem, that is as long as they move quietly. [ September 28, 2002, 02:36 AM: Message edited by: akdavis ]

Hi, I'm new here, but I love the Combat Mission series and have spent the last few days submerged in Barbarossa to Berlin. I may be missing something, but adding a hold fire toggle seems like a simple solution. It would be in effect unless the unit was directly threatened or a contradictory order was issued (e.g. target, cover arc, advance, or assault). In a sense, it would be like the armor "button up/unbutton" command, in that you can switch between states, but the certain conditions may cause the unit AI to change state. This could be used in conjunction with any of the other movement commands. However, if the move command is somewhat stealthy AND includes a hold fire unless directly threatened command, then the current system is fine. If cover arcs must be used to achieve this effect, then two things would be necessary: ability to issue cover arcs to groups and ability to set an arc at 360 degrees. Otherwise, way to much clicking and reissueing of orders would be necessary. Well, just putting my two cents in.