The Commander Series Forum

In the tropp lists it is said that ATGWs work against helicopters, but in the air assault rules there are only AA-guns and command units allowed to do AA-fire.

Do ATGWs count as AA? If so, do they have 360 degrees LOS or as per vehicle?

Do ATGWs count as AA?

No

So, how and when can we use ATGWs versus helicopters then?

Discussions about helicopters in general, and who can shoot at 'em in particular, crop up frequently on the board. Here’s one:

http://www.coldwar-commander.com/Content/Forum/...

Yeah, and the question didn't get answered there either.

To reiterate, if the question’s “under what circumstances do those ATGW's (vehicle mounted or otherwise) noted as anti-helicopter capable get to shoot at helicopters?” then the answer, as far as I can decipher, is “they can shoot at spotter helicopters either during their own command phase or as opportunity fire in response to the helicopter’s movement”.

Fire against either transport or attack helicopters would be illegal for the reasons given in the above linked thread. If there’s an existing rule mechanic I’m missing that would allow such fire I’d be very grateful to have it pointed out. In fact, it’d be really useful if Pete could offer a definitive opinion on this oft discussed point.

IIRC. Loitering FAC/FAO in helos are viable ATGW targets, no one else is

Hello stu_dew

I've been looking at the question of IATWs/ATGWs firing at helicopters and as far as I can tell this is how it works:

1. They are not AA (see above) and therefore cannot fire at Attack Helicopters or Spotter Helicopters as the method restricts fire to CO, HQ, AA and SAM units.

2. They are not AA (see above) so can only fire at a Transport Helicopters in Air Assaults if they are a within 10cm and LOS of the LP. Therefore IATWs can fire in those circumstances and ATGWs cannot because their minimum range is 20cm. It's also worth remembering that IATWs can only fire once per turn.

3. Transport Helicopters stranded on table by a blunder can be attacked by both as normal.

But of course I would be immensely grateful for Pete's views on all that! Pretty please!!

Regards

(Hopefully less) Puzzled (than usual!)

Guys
After scearching around, I think I have found the answer to the question "So, how and when can we use ATGWs versus helicopters then?"
If you go to pg.2 of CWC Rule Queries, scroll to the bottom of the page. There is the question 'Attack Helo Questions' by 'huascar18'. Near the bottom of this page, he asks the question "I assume you could fire an ATGW at an attack helo (as well as an FAO/FAC helo) using Opportunity Fire as long as it was placed on the board further than 20cm away from the firer?"
Pete's reply was " Yes"

You'll also be glad to read that the helo can evade (same thread).

Hope this clears things up.

Paul

Excellent Paul, thanks!

Puzzled

No problems.

Pete, any chance of putting this question in the FAQ page?

Paul

Follow-up questions:

1 Is the Opp Fire from IATW/ATGWs at Attack Helos triggered by their placement (counting this as movement) thus allowing them to fire before the Helos?

2 Can other weapons Opp Fire at Attack Helos?

Regards

Puzzled

Q2. I would say Yes. Just my guess.

Paul