Use of air force

[Montana Grizz]

I realize that each situation is different, but I'd appreciate some general suggestions in regard to when and where to use my air attacks.

Thanks,

Pat

[Dragoon]

Depending on how many I have and knowing they dont always hit the plotted hex,I like to use some early in the game hoping to catch a loaded transport or units caught in the open.Other than that I try and knock out tanks with them.


Dragoon

[Big Dawg]

Keep the questions coming!

Remember to keep LOS on the target or you will waste the air strike.

The AI will hit a target within a few squares of your target. It might be the HQ, the tank, or the empty truck. I like to use them when a tank is off by itself. The AI will target the isolated target much better than the tank that is surrounded by other possible targets.

Grizz, you have not asked about the meaning of life;), yet.

[John Given]

Heh, keeping los to the target hex can be easier said than done, Big Dawg.

I've also realized a horribly nasty trick with regard to fooling airstrikes - having lots of empty wagons/trucks within 5 hexes of the target hex (even unspotted transport) will usually mean the planes attack the transport. I don't advise doing this, because (to me) it smacks of unsportmanlike play. However, if you have a large # of transport about, presumably because they just unloaded their cargo, chances are the computer will use up the airstrikes on the transport, as the computer determines the target of the strike randomly.

Planes are chosen from the roster of available planes at random. Check your show + available airpower to see what kinds of planes you have. If you see only ground-attack aircraft and fighters, concentrate on loaded transport and soft targets. Otherwise, attack tanks. If you have a mixed bag of planes, attack soft targets.

As I said, an airstrike can "drift" up to 5 hexes. Keep this in mind when you have your HQ's "safely" hidden behind the ridge nearby where its subordinate units are fighting...

Good luck in the field! Er, I mean, skies!

[K K Rossokolski]

I think that in general terms the game engine greatly degrades the actual value of airstrikes - I suspect the relative attack values were never well thought out. Also, IMO, the effectivenes of AA fire is greatly disproportionate to its real worth. I confess to often forgetting to even look at my air strike table, and routinely finish a game with air still available!!

Cheers
KKR

[Montana Grizz]

Thanks for the advise gentlemen.

I did not know about the LOS aspect.

I was going to ask about the Meaning of Life (Big Dawg), but I learned that years ago from Monty Python :rolleyes: