��WinSPMBT Arty tutorial needed!!!

[Walrus]

Hi
Just in case you couldn't understand some of Grumbler's info...

The "dime" is called a "priority target marker" or something similar.
It is one of the "toggles" in the bombard menu.
It gives you a (numbered from 1-10) "gold spot/dime/etc" which you place on the map during the DEPLOY phase of your game.

Using that spot you can assign your arty strike with a much reduced delay.

It is also important to use proper arty observers/Forward Observation Officers (FOO)/ VB in German. They are much better at directing arty (look at their "arty command" stats on their info page. They can SHIFT FIRE with less delay, PLOT FIRE at less delay and also help with accuracy in general. If your FOO has LOS (line of sight) to the target hex the accuracy will improve even more.

The trick you seem to be missing is the old classic...ROLLING BARRAGE.
Target your arty as above but take mote of the small toggle beside each arty unit in the bombard menu. Not only is there a "cancel mission", "HE" and "Smoke" toggle but also a "SHIFT FIRE" toggle. This is a crucial tool. When an arty unit is targeted on the map, use the shift fire toggle to move the target spot around by a few hexes at a time. It adds 0.1 to the delay of the mission (or 0.2 if are not using an FOO) but this way you can follow your enemy around the map.

It is great for "walking" fire across advancing enemy units...or keeping just in front of your own advance.

With this simple trick you will have better chances of victory in your battles.

I also suggest being aware of the "eye" toggle so you can look at the stats of your arty/air/off board (OB) arty units. Anything that is in a green font in a stat screen can be switched on/off...this way you can turn off some tubes to conserve ammo and keep your arty firing all game :-)

All the same info applies to air units, except that when an air unit has made it's pass across the map, it loses it's original target spot and you have to start from scratch again. Arty units remember their target. One a ubit has fired it's full salvo (which may take two turns to complete) it looks untargeted. However, if you simply press the "HE Fire" toggle, you will see the unit has targeted the last spot one of it's shell landed, and at a handy 0.1 delay :happy:

I suggest reading the Game Guide...it is full of tips and tricks. Also I suggest practicing with the various units. Set up a battle and buy a bunch of different arty units. Give them a try, practice a rolling barrage and observe the results. Learn which arty makes nice holes in the ground, and which does not. Understand the difference between OB and on map arty...mortars and rockets, Spotted observation (FOO has LOS) and non spotted (useful if you NEED your fire to spread around a bit). Get used to the "direction" toggle for air attacks and what that means to your missions.

If you do not explore the game mechanics, you will always be fighting against two enemies...your opponent....and your ignorance of your own unit's potential to do a better job.

I hope that helps. Please feel free to ask more questions...it's how you gain knowledge and get better...and I am all for that

Cheers