Modena wrote:
> Sorry if this sounds dumb, but I was just after some info on what
> actually happens in battles with things like supply vehicles and field
> artillery. The reason I ask is I have read various battle reports
> which seem to indicate the value of field artillery - without ever
> having actually witnessed a battle, to me this doesn't make sense. A
> piece of FA doesnt move (apart from maybe being towed into position)
> and only takes one hit to knock it out, bearing this in mind why are
> they valuable? Surely they make an easy target, especially for a piece
> which has no rotate (I assume some of the FA pieces have no rotate).
There are two types of artillery: Field Artillery (mobile) and Fixed
Artillery (stationary).
Field Artillery (covered by rule section IV.9) is destroyed with one hit
and was originally envisioned as a cheap, nuisance weapon. They were
used a couple times in early battles, but have fallen out of favor
because of Fixed Artillery.
Fixed Artillery (covered by rule section IV.12) have become an important
and effective part of the game. They have rotate and elevate
capabilities and when strategically placed can be quite a problem for
tanks operating anywhere on the battlefield. Fixed Artillery is
protected by soldiers and the opposing team must hit each of the
soldiers to destroy the Fixed Artillery. The exact number of soldiers
is determined by the CD before each battle to balance the game.
When used properly, Fixed Artillery forces both teams to think twice
before going anywhere on the field. Furthermore, re-supplying the FA
is an on-going chore for support vehicles (although not the only chore).
Shooting artillery soldiers has also become somewhat of a hobby for many
veteran tank drivers who don't like being shot at by FA.
> Supply vehicles: the rules say that tanks cannot be touched except
> during a timeout or in home base. Does this mean you cannot re-supply
> mid-field outside of a timeout? What happens in reality with re-
> supplying a tank? Do tanks get re-supplied mid-battle-field, and are
> they a no-shoot zone during this time, because if they do and they're
> not, they're a sitting duck. If tanks are not re-supplied midfield,
> then it seems to me that the value of an SV is minimal if you have no
> FA, and I'm struggling to see the value of a piece of FA.
True. No vehicle (tank, armored car or support vehicle) can be touched
outside of a Base (Home or Forward) or *Supply Depot*. When Fixed
Artillery is used, the area around the FA is considered a "Forward Base"
and when the support vehicle arrives in that area it can (a) unload ammo
and (b) wait there until it is clear to return to the Home Base. Nobody
can ever shoot into a Home Base or Forward Base. Friendly tanks or
armored cars can also go to the Forward Base at any time to reload. The
opposing team can also steal ammo from the Forward Base if it is left
un-guarded.
Supply Depots are not used very often, but a support vehicle can leave
ammo anywhere on the field and declare that point to be a Supply Depot.
Other vehicles, including the opposing team, can then re-supply
themselves using the ammo stock-piled there. On large battlefields,
with lots of combatants, Supply Depots will be a necessary part of the
game to allow tanks to stay near the "front line" longer. In most
current battles, a quick trip back to Home Base or Forward Base is
easier than worrying about Supply Depots.
Frank P.
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