Command Vehicles

[oragus]

I apologize if this is an old topic. Didn't realize it.

Early in the war, They were extremely easy to spot, ie the rail antenna. Germany learned from this and changed to the less noticeable "star" antenna. As well as the dummy gun, to simulate looking like a normal tank.

You are correct though Andy, it was not a good idea to make them so obvious. lol. But they were still there none the less.

As far as the AI usuage goes, no way to control that with the picklist? Don't know much about the picklist, just asking. You know me Andy, most my efforts are graphics. lol. Just trying to find a usage for my Pz.Bef.Wgs. Considering there is one in game right now anyways, the Pz.Bef.Wg Ib. Thought I would expand that with the others.

It would be nice to have them prevent the flaming "Out of Contact" tag with units that have radios. Kinda a range extender if you will?

The code giving all the formation command units radios is a good thing for Germany, because all their fighting vehicles were to have radios. Not quite sure about other countries. Now, the Command Vehicles I am referring are higher on the command tree than, say the platoon commander. They had mulitple radios. No radio value that will simulate more than one radio?

If the code won't allow the class "command vehicle", or its your personal preference to not have it, any way to simulate it within current restraints? IE, radio value, existing classes? I know making them an FO vehicle makes them pretty darn expensive.

[Mobhack]

SP units either have a radio - which works or not. No separate networks, so no need for command vehicles that had several operators and radios.

There really is no need for command vehicles whatsoever, since they would have absolutely no game function.

Cheers
Andy

[PatG]

The only reason I can see to consider command vehicles with BFAs (Big Friggin Aerials) would be to visually mark the command tank of the Soviet 10 tank companies with the platoon command structure or similar units in other oobs. However, I recall that radios and being "in contact" represent a wider range of C&C and morale effects than just having a working radio on net.

Even doing this might not have the desired effect. I ran up a quick AI vs AI game over lunch with a German medium company against a points equivalent force of 2 Soviet 10 tank units with the company commanders replaced by Gazs right under the German guns. Even with their "heads cut off", the Soviets managed to swamp the Germans for a draw.

[Mobhack]

Large 10-lump platoons will only tend to have real problems when darned near everyone in that formation requires rallying. Especially if the subordinates do not have radios. The HQ will not be able to "service" all of them. If only 1 or 2 need rallying, and are in range, then the 10 lump works fine, so long as you want all 10 tanks together in a small area, all the time. When the 10-lump decides to break, it will be a mass rout more likely.

But an army based on a companies of 2 or 3 platoon size, will tend to do better overall at rallying, and can reliably spread out more. Retreats will be 1 or 2 units at most, from a platoon that has particularly been hammered. And there will be a company commander to aid rallying, and also in the rear where he may help to catch routers.

However, unlike normal tabletop wargames rules, SP charges no points for HQs. And in any case, the penalties for being out of command control are not particularly severe, even for the case of SP3 with its "platoon objective" command and control, if switched on.

Cheers
Andy

[oragus]

Ok, so there is no way something like that is getting put into the game. Gotcha, and no problem.

Got any ideas how I can simulate one within the contraints of the game as is, other than bumping the radio value up and changing to FO Vehicle class?

[Mobhack]

Put it in as the commander (first unit) in any formation, and it gets a radio, as previously stated.

Cheers
Andy

[PanzerBob]

I have done this in the past, having a BefhlsTiger for example, I made it a tracked scout vehicle adjusted weapons and ammo and radios. As mentioned you might as well paint the tank bright orange, the AI soon zeros in on you, especially in campaigns and while sometimes I lived, most times I got toasted.

Now fitting out a SdKfz250 or 251 to a FO Vehicle is what I use now to have a mobile HQ. Beside the obvious MODs ensure you replace the AAMG with an LMG, reason being that with an AAMG your HQ HT will fire at aircraft and attract follow on airstrkes on your position. Same for a MMG will shot back at ground troops too much. Of course you could shut them off every game. My SOP says if the enemies that close then maybe the jig is up!!!

SdKfz-251/6 is a Mobile Command Post or SdKfz 250/3 is Command Radio Vehicle like Rommels’ Grief.

Same can be done for other nations.