vahauser
Posts: 1644
Joined: 10/1/2002 From: Texas Status: offline
|
I am a highly-skilled expert Steel Panthers player (been playing for 12+ years). I almost always choose turreted AFVs instead of non-turreted AFVs when given a choice. Turreted AFVs: 1) almost always carry more ammunition. This is extremely important tactically, but is not handled by TOAW III. 2) almost always have a higher rate of fire. This is supremely important tactically, but is not handled by TOAW III. 3) do not have to turn the whole vehicle to face the enemy being engaged. This is important in a variety of tactical situations, but not as important as points #1 and #2 above. Non-turreted AFVs: 1) usually have a smaller target size. This is useful when trying to set up ambushes. 2) often have better armor protection. This is countered by the fact that non-turreted AFVs can be often outmaneuvered to gain flank shots. [But if the non-turreted AFV can keep its flanks protected, such as fighting in occluded terrain where trees and buildings, etc., can be used to protect the flanks, the the non-turreted AFV has an advantage.] When do I use non-turreted AFVs? Non-turreted AFVs are best when fighting in occluded terrain (such as woods and cities). In these cases, a handful of non-turreted AFVs leading the advance (with the turreted AFVs following behind in overwatch positions) is often the best way to attack. Historically (talking WW2 here), turreted AFVs were best suited to independent combat operations in relatively open terrain. Non-turreted AFVs were historically best suited to dependent combat operations (usually infantry support), especially in relatively occluded terrain. The main historical advantage of non-turreted AFVs is that they were less complicated and less expensive and less time-consuming to build. Thus, wealthy nations with enormous industrial potential, like the USA in WW2 could afford to build turreted AFVs almost exclusively. However, many other nations could not afford that luxury. In open ground, I'll take turreted AFVs every time. In occluded terrain I like to have some non-turreted AFVs handy.
_____________________________
|