MC BMP Frustrations

[Hadge]

I think the Modern Campaigns series is superb, and can't wait for the southern part of the Germany series to appear.

But, here is the but ! - what can/should be done about the quandry of the Pact BMP kitted inf units ?

To elaborate -

One of the great strengths of the Pact/Soviet divisions is in their ability to stand-off at two hexes with their BMP/BMD kitted dismounted inf, and hit Nato armour (and other hard targets) with the BMP hull mounted Saggers etc., whilst the Nato armour is impotent to hit back, without closing, due to the Nato armour having a soft range of 1.

This is despite the fact that the majority hitting power of the Pact units, in this instance and at this range, is mostly from vehicles (i.e. hard targets), but the Pact unit is actually a soft target when fired upon because they are deployed.

I know that the Pact inf battalions also had man portable ATGM's aswell as the BMP's, but this aspect of engagements IMO gives the Pact what appears to be an disparate and unfair advantage in the game.

I find it hard to believe that a Nato armour unit commander would not initiate fire on the BMPs at max range, even if they were unable to effectively hit the actual infantry dismounted at the side of their carriers.

Is there a case for increasing the soft range of the more modern Nato tanks to 2 to deal with the issue ? - I know that they would be killing "men", but 10 men also equals 1 vehicle

Or is there another solution/answer?

Cheers

Chris

[shawn_cardwell]

I think that it is important to remember that the typical loadout of a cold war MBT (at least an American one), was not geared toward anti-personnel long range action. In fact, HEP rounds on tanks I was in in the early 80's with combat loadout in West Germany numbered around 2 or 3, with the remainder being HEAT and APDS. So, as an armored unit that wanted to tangle with infantry, you had to close to bring small arms into play. That being said, I don't think an increase in soft range to "2" would pass the reality test at all. I do agree however that it would be nice to differentiate fire on mech units between soft and hard targets with a porportional reduction in each. Sounds like a programing task for the game designers!

[HirooOnoda]

I think the awesome firepower represents the BMPs being hull and turret down. The Egyptians used this tactic with the leg AT-4 launchers in the '73 war. Only the operator's head was above the berm and at those distances not even a pair of binoculars will catch that small of a target.

[FM WarB]

The Israelies overconfidently conducted tank charges, failing to use artillery or infantry. The terrain also was much more open in Sinai than in Europe. Use terrain to get close enough. Use arty to force those sagger firers to get their heads down.
I was cav plt ldr (tanker) 77-78 in Germany. I never at Grafenwoer fired a main gun round at a soft target. I liked my 50 cal for those targets, but not at over a mile.