Armor Facing Rule

[Peiper]

I tested it for WF a lot. I don't think with AF "off" the tanks overall defense strength is the same as that of the frontal armor when "on". (If it is the ASDN patch would be sufficient to deal with all disadvantages of AF).

To me loss numbers are more realistic with AF "off", as well as tank behaviour. Panthers cannot ignore smaller AT guns, and Shermans have a decent chance to get a kill, but will always be at a realistic disadvantage. Moreover you won't get hilarious high number of kills due to the fact that the tanks suddely show their rear when they retreat.
Conclusion:
1. More realistic combat behaviour.
2. Lower loss numbers.
3. Better ratio of Shermans vs Panthers (even if it sounds a little contradictory to point 2, it isn't)

I have my doubts and still feel that Armor Facing is only for games like Combat Mission, that portray individual vehicles.

I agree with some there is a certain fun factor involved when you manage to sneak around and hit the tanks in the rear armor, but to me it doesn't weigh up to the disadvantages.

Huib

I think if we talking about realistic in this game we should see what was real in wwII. In fact was the most versions of the Sherman tanks absolutly inferior against Panthers or Tigers. For example see this interesting clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBp4eWqXf...re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn2vmpEQb...re=related

or see this serie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrcMyVxod...re=related

Especially in a directly duell in front was the advantage total on the german side with the strong front amor and a long distance weapon with a higher penetrating power. But also the Sherman had a chance with a ambush and short ranges and from both sides or the rear.

AF ON simulated this situation and brings realism like the situation in wwII real was. By the way in the war was it normally to made tactical manouvers to come to the side or behind the enemy and not a directly shooting. And of course smaller AT guns they are in front had real not a chance against a Panther or Tiger and was easy overrunning like the T-34 or Shermans overruns a german 37-mm-AT gun. The smaller AT-guns had only a chance from the sides or the rear like in the realism in war and with AF ON in the game.

The allies benefit with tanks in war was the absolutly numeral advantage. This fact i cannot find in most of the scenes in game. I think the "problem" is not the duell Sherman vs. Panther or Tiger with the advantage for the german tanks real in the war and in this game but rather scenes with more Panthers and Tigers as even have had fight in the most battles in wwII. ;-) Thats not realistic and a problem in many scenes and not the real advantage for the german tanks in war and in this game.

Don´t forget that the most of german tanks in wwII also in the last period to the end was the PIV and not Panthers or Tigers. I think the most scenes overrides this point.

So i think thats the problem and not AF ON or OFF. My opinion is that AF ON simulated not a better and fair result for the allies tanks because also the war was not fair. But simulated a realistic and importend fact in wwII, the advantage some weapons against other weapons.