Laying guns on target (in case you didn't know)

[Weasel]

I guess some players still don't know about laying guns on target without firing.  During your turn you target the hex you want and then right click on your artillery unit and deselect all your tubes so they are turned off.  By doing this the artillery turn delay will wind down without any rounds being fired, your oppoenent and you will still hear the artillery shooting sound, but no impacts.  This is called LAYING THE GUNS ONLINE and is used by artillery around the world when the guns are not firing.  When not in use they are layed on the most likely spot for a call for artillery to be called upon so the response is immediate.

This is not a gamey tactic unless both sides agree against it.

[Walrus]

I agree with Weasel. That's not a gamey tactic.

Not sure, but it used to be obvious to the opponent that you had done that as there would be the sound of rounds being fired but no graphics and the map would centre on the area targeted. Which would give you a clue your opponent had done this Gun Laying routine.

That then could be used as a double bluff, possible scaring your enemy away from a targeted position without even having to fire a salvo.
That 'double bluff' aspect is a SP game tactic, not RL obviously, but I would not call that 'gamey'...just more SP fun times :-)

[Weasel]

Have fast arty on also only give sound effect, thus confusion.

[Scorpio_Rocks]

That 'double bluff' aspect is a SP game tactic, not RL obviously, but I would not call that 'gamey'...just more SP fun times :-)

Surely a tactic only useful in the game and not in real life is the definition of "gamey"???

[Walrus]

Fair Call.
I guess in that respect, it's a gamey tactic.

However, as I see that particular tactic, it adds to the interest, depth and enjoyment (for me) as opposed to other 'gamey' tactics which detract - say like using smoke dischargers on an AFV when advancing, so you can use your TI through the smoke at an enemy with no TI.
Not 'illegal' as such, but gamey IMO, as that's not at all how a RL unit would use their smoke dischargers and is really just a way to get around the I go - You go aspect of email PBEM. Understandable, effective for sure, and for some players probably a 'core' tactic for advancing.

I guess like in everything, there's a big grey area as to what is 'gamey' once you get past obvious and agreed tricks.

[Weasel]

I don't think it is gamey. I use too until it was rightly pointed out that if a player wants to turn off his artillery by all means let him! Good point you made Walrus. And once again, it is up to players before game start to state their rules, if it isn't stated and agreed upon before game start then it is considered allowed.

Z fire is the most gamey thing there is.

[Xandor]

That then could be used as a double bluff, possible scaring your enemy away from a targeted position without even having to fire a salvo.
That 'double bluff' aspect is a SP game tactic, not RL obviously,

Well, I, personally see "shell sound" in game as 1-2 ajustment shots before unleashing a full weight salvo, that was common practice in pre-ground radar and computerized fire control artyllery. 
And sometimes it leads to "double bluff" tactics and avoiding targeted terrain tactincs in RL. At some WW2 sources (e.g. Gen. Lelyushenko's memoirs) were mentions tank column avoiding crossroad after recon team spotted some fresh shell craters (indicating that this crossroad was zeroed by german arty).

[Weasel]

Interesting ref the shell holes.