Tactics for Limited Arc of Fire Weapons (LAoF)

[Otto Halfhand]

There is a balance issue in dealing with Direct Fire, (DF), Limited Arc of Fire, (LAoF) weapons platforms. I am looking for a Tactical Approach to the problem. It is not balance issue for 1v1 (either PVP or AI). It is an issue for MP team play and AI play - wether Compstomp or MP mixed Human/AI team play.

The Issue is Response time: Human response time is ~ 1/sec. AI response time is 8/sec. MP response time ranges from 1/sec to 4/sec (or 1/sec to 8/sec with AI). I think 2/sec is the maximum practical human response rate to consider.

The Tactical Problem is "AI sees all, Knows all Syndrome". When you fire on an AI AFV It Stops, maybe fires and reverses direction. Ignoring Accel/Decel time for the moment The AI AFV responds to your ambush in 3 ticks. (.375 secs). When the AI is out of LOS it stops and will fire asap, (.25 sec). IE for AI 2 shots require .625 seconds response time! To focus fire on the ATHT for the moment , Many weapons can 2 shot an ATHT. The problem is less severe for SU122, GzWn, SU76 etc but the principle is the same. FF/LAoF (AGs) are subject to this problem as well. A move order attack is clearly not the answer. An aggravating factor is that using an initial Assault order attack with your ATHT Adds additional ~.125 sec delay to your response time for the wiggle factor. IE when the AI AFV moves/changes direction the autopilot on the human controlled vehicle kicks in (.125sec) to reacquire the target; 8 times faster than you can intervene to override it. This is a real problem For ATHT and to a lesser degree for the SU122; because the wiggle frequently screws your LAoF. Using treadbreaker I find I must immediately withdraw the ATHT (even when successful). In the time it takes to set up another shot the Player (Human or AI) has time to bring up supports wether Active (AFVs) or passive (repair) or both.

Otto's tactics
I always use a minimum of 2 units for active operations. I use pairs of units for preference but that is very subjective. When AFVs are involved I also have 2 or more active supports for repairs, diversion, etc. Even so; when using ATHTs one typically ends up being sacrificed. ATHTs are cheap but not that cheap. Suggestions?

Balancer's/hi-level players kindly note: my particular micro problems usually require me to use 3 units where you recommend 2 units are sufficient. Someone once suggested Marders were only worth considering when you could build 3 of them. (For me this would be 4 -  I'll tech for 2 panther BG, thankyou very much).

Nomenclature notes:
There a a couple of classes of DF/LAoF platforms in vCoh:
1.Fixed Emplacement weapons, (I include HMG squads and Nashorn here).
2.Very Narrow LAoF weapons: ATHT, SU122
3. LAoF weapons with Lock/Down Camo capability
4 Fixed fire LAoF: assault guns

I see no problem with 1. FE DF/LAoF class. For simplicity sake I group VN/LAoF and AG,s classes together.

[Pac-Fish]

What does MP stand for because I haven't the faintest idea. You've already mention Player and AI so yeah .

And Im not sure what you are saying but I assume you are taking advantage of the comp's arc of fire and its reaction time is that right?

[Trooper425]

Multi-Player

[Otto Halfhand]

...And Im not sure what you are saying but I assume you are taking advantage of the comp's arc of fire and its reaction time is that right?

No you have backwards. the comp takes advantage of the players or other AIs LAoF.

[Pac-Fish]

No you have backwards. the comp takes advantage of the players or other AIs LAoF.

This happens to both players and comps all the time. For example a AT gun can bear down on a occupied building and you can't retaliate. Or a AT is in range of a MHT since they almost have the same range as each other (so I've observed). Rifles can fire on MP40 volks and the volks wont fire back. The thing to do is when the small red box appears that says "Infantry under attack" click on it and see whats going on. Although when an AT gun stats firing on your building you wont get a notice as your infantry don't take damage the building does.

[Cranialwizard]

The thing to do is when the small red box appears that says "Infantry under attack" click on it and see whats going on.

Or hit the spacebar. It responds the same way. If you repeatadly hit it, it will also take you to the next alerts. Very useful when there are multiple fronts or for locating snipers.