AT Guns

[FroBodine]

How the heck are you supposed to destroy an AT gun with a tank's main gun? Should I be using HE or AP? I would think HE, but I have NEVER hit an AT gun with any tank.

Is it even possible? Should I use AP?

[Ozgur Budak]

How the heck are you supposed to destroy an AT gun with a tank's main gun? Should I be using HE or AP? I would think HE, but I have NEVER hit an AT gun with any tank.

Is it even possible? Should I use AP?

First rule is get your tank out of AT's LOS as soon as possible. Use HE to disrupt or -even better- pin down the crew and assault the AT with infantry or tank. Tanks are always glorified by military literature but most of the tankers admit that their main fear is not enemy tanks but AT guns.

[Rabbit]

Ozgur, in general, do you think it is worth the risk of using the tanks to try disrupting/pinning the crew or should you try to keep your tanks out of the AT's LOS altogether?

(I know it definitely will depend upon the situation, I'm just curious what your thoughts are from a general perspective. Or is it just too situational to give a general answer?)

Thanks,
Bill

[Ozgur Budak]

Bill,
It depends on the situation :) What is the cost for staying in LOS and what is the gain? I personally dont keep my tanks in LOS of a capable AT gun, even it was disrupted. Try to use your other assets to disrupt the AT gun (machine gun, mortar etc), however in some situations you have to use your tank to disrupt the AT gun so firing 1-2 shots and getting out of the way would be a better choice. First rule for me is never send the turn to your opponent with your tanks in LOS of his AT power.
Hope this helps
Oz

[Rabbit]

Thanks Oz!

@FroBodine (in regards to whether to use HE or AP):
For gameplay purposes, don't think of AT guns as wheeled vehicles but instead think of them as crewed weapons. As such, you should pick your weapon load according to the type of terrain in which the AT gun is located. According to the manual, AP rounds are effective against targets in bunkers and pillboxes, so you'll want to switch to AP rounds if the AT gun is in a bunker or pillbox. Otherwise you'll want to use HE.

(Note the manual doesn't say anything about how effective AP is against other types of terrain with high protection values, such as cities and industrial hexes. I presume by its omission, it means AP doesn't have an effect on other types of terrain. Therefore neither the AP nor the HE rounds will have much of an effect on targets in cities/industrial hexes: AP because it doesn't have an effect on those types of terrain and HE because of its very low penetration factors.)

[TheBigRedOne]

I second Ozgur's comment about keeping your armor out of the LOS of an AT gun, especially at the end of a turn.

I've seen too many tanks go up in flames taking a hit from a disrupted AT gun. Bad stuff, avoid if possible.