The Commander Series Forum

How do infantry survive when fighting tanks in a very lethal environment? we have been playing tank heavy games and so far infantry just doesn't seem to do anything except die in droves. For example, a soviet player advanced 6 Bmp-2's trying to flank a position, command rolls left them stuck in the open. 3 leopards promptly destroyed all 6 with the inf still inside them, putting 12 units towards the breakpoint. The soviets failed and the game was over.

Inf you don't have Inf in IFV's they can't move worth a dam a and if you do then they can't go near the enemy for fear of being destroyed en mass. In addition, if by some miracle you do get inf near armour, you can't destroy it as you can only fire once a turn with the AT upgrade. How do you attack with infantry?

Sorry about the rant, still a bit sore about having my arse handed to me last game.....

1) Use all available Cover when moving IFVs.
2) Were they ATGM equipped? If so they should have been able to respond to the tanks with Opp Fire.
3) Use artillery to surpress as many units on the objective as possible.
4) Hit the objective with air strikes and attack helos just before the infantry arrive.

I also allow for a save roll for infantry in an IFV that is hit. Roll a die on 6 the infantry survives, and is suppressed. Also, considered one level of cover better to represent the troops hiding behind the wrecks.

* Make sure there’s enough terrain on the table.
* Ensure the enemy armour has been fixed frontally. If you’re trying to flank him without simultaneously engaging him to his front don’t expect it to remain his flank for long.
* Is he in dense terrain or in the open? If the latter question why you’re using infantry for the job.
* Get him suppressed via supporting assets before you launch your attack and try to keep him that way.
* Smoke is your friend.
* Accept that any plan you come up with can be foiled by bad command dice. That’s one of the fundamental strengths of the game.

Good luck next time out!

Terrain is key. The last few games I've played have been light on it and my IFVs and their corresponding passengers have suffered big time - along with everything else to be honest!

I've even started making some shallow 'hills' to enable me to have undulating ground. They block same level LOS but not higher levels. Lets you hide some troops in those hollows to await a good time to move so you don't get fried on the approach.

6 BMPs? Soviets would send at least twice that. He can't kill them!

Andy

He can't kill them all!

I wish you could edit posts here!

Well, we all seem to be on the same page of the Tac Manual. What is that saying about great minds...

Just to add to my points above;
5) No plan survives the first shot of the enemy. Always have an alternative plan of attack ready.

Yep - all well-covered there: this isn't a "Rules Query" - more of a "Tactical Query"

Further to my note on smoke - it's your friend as long as your opponent doesn't have TI whilst you're stuck with IR. Then it isn't.