Fighting retreat?

[jiggathebaws]

Having problems in defense pulling forces back without getting them killed. What's the best ways to fall back, particularly scouts and infantry?

[22sec]

ORIGINAL: jiggathebaws

Having problems in defense pulling forces back without getting them killed. What's the best ways to fall back, particularly scouts and infantry?

I think that is a challenge even in the real world. I try and make sure I have covered routes for my units to withdraw through. I also try and make sure that there is a friendly force to cover the move, even if it’s just enough fire to keep the enemy’s heads down. Artillery and air support can also help cover a withdrawal, but timing their arrival can be an additional challenge and why I prefer ground units.

[Lowlaner2012]

I have found that placing units on the edge of woods or other cover and either popping or laying arty smoke works well...

I let my units get a few shots off, pop smoke and reverse out of sight, move them via a hopefully unoticed route and then take up a new position.... it definitely keeps you on your toes... I think this can also be done automatically using a "scout" waypoint although I haven't tried that yet....

Also I try not to let infantry get to far away from there transport, if they do and they get hit by arty they are usually dead meat...

One more thing, you can set disabled waypoints, you press ctrl while laying them and then to activate hold ctrl and click them, that way there is no command delay....

EDIT... Don't forget you can setup an arty smoke mission in advance to fire on your command, that way you don't have to wait for the guns to adjust... you just fire, wait for the smoke shells to land and then pull out...

[wodin]

I do find modern warfare abit to lethal at times. One reason I prefer WW2 games at this scale.

[Lowlaner2012]

Hi Wodin, while I do like the WWII setting, I'm glad this game is set in the modern era, apart from Flashpoint campaigns and CM black sea I cant think of any other good strategy game set in this time period....

[Perturabo]

ORIGINAL: wodin

I do find modern warfare abit to lethal at times. One reason I prefer WW2 games at this scale.

Have you tried the 60s?

[Red2112]

ORIGINAL: Lowlaner2012

Hi Wodin, while I do like the WWII setting, I'm glad this game is set in the modern era, apart from Flashpoint campaigns and CM black sea I cant think of any other good strategy game set in this time period....

Same...

[varangy]

ORIGINAL: wodin

I do find modern warfare abit to lethal at times. One reason I prefer WW2 games at this scale.

We have an entire sea filled with WW2 games. Personally I like cold war more since its more complex. (ATGMs, Helos, ETC)

[ultradave]

Having been trained and served in this era, I can say that in real life this is a huge issue if you are on the defense. You have to have carefully planned exit routes and be able to reach your next position without observation (in general observation means you die).

Also it helps to do a sort of bounding overwatch in reverse. One unit leaves under a smoke screen while an adjacent unit provides cover and overwatch or suppressing fire to discourage any attackers/followers.

[CCIP-subsim]

Yeah, one of the biggest differences that I find observation makes is artillery spotting - and AB's AI is absolutely merciless with its calling-in of artillery. Things like smoke generators can help get you out of direct fire, but the artillery will still get you unless you move very fast.

So I'd say timing everything is key if you want to get out alive. Time your movements with the arrival/dispersal of smoke, and keep guard units in positions that aren't going to be too affected by smoke. Depending on terrain, leapfrogging half your force in every bound might be necessary. Unfortunately when things are going south, you often don't have time to react in a way that will make things as organized as you'd like them to be. Another thing to look out for us opportunities that the enemy gives you - if they've really given your force a beating but then overcommitted themselves, that might give you an opening. If you see signs that the enemy has just lost some key units, is suppressed or retreating - that might be your chance to hightail it out of there, preferably covered by smoke and artillery fires.

Lastly, unless you're truly caught in the open, often staying put where you are is a better option, provided you have enough artillery rounds and reserves to eventually get your unit out of that situation.

[Mark Florio]

Agreed. secondary positions, pre-planned routes and lots of luck getting it right.

[wodin]

Does it have to be either one of the other can't we have both?

ORIGINAL: varangy

ORIGINAL: wodin

I do find modern warfare abit to lethal at times. One reason I prefer WW2 games at this scale.

We have an entire sea filled with WW2 games. Personally I like cold war more since its more complex. (ATGMs, Helos, ETC)

[Perturabo]

ORIGINAL: wodin

Does it have to be either one of the other can't we have both?

ORIGINAL: varangy

ORIGINAL: wodin

I do find modern warfare abit to lethal at times. One reason I prefer WW2 games at this scale.

We have an entire sea filled with WW2 games. Personally I like cold war more since its more complex. (ATGMs, Helos, ETC)

Have you tried 1965?