Tactics & strategy tips...continued

[Don Maddox]

Richard1 -- "That makes a lot of sense to me. Easier to forge ahead and make territorial gains than to find the appropriate finesse to deter unwarranted types of aggressive maneuvers."

A lot of players seem to determined to counterattack despite all odds- it is important to acquire a local superiority (I prefer 3 to 1) before counterattacking- or you just weaken yourself and don't significantly hurt the aggressor- you also end up taking on reserves in a meeting engagement- which can be a disaster if his troops are better than yours

"Perhaps with your experience you might take the time, if you're inclined, to write a short post or even an article on the elements of defense. Particularly for the new to the ranks like myself who feel often that 'hanging on' is about all we can do in the tough situations. There have to be other methods than the ones that involve finding a fairly defensible position, digging in, being routed out or retreated, waiting for the reorganizations to complete, and then starting the process all over again."

There are a few basic elements to defending
i) put every unit in ignore losses
ii) minimise movement-only your reserves should move- put your front line where it needs to stand and the don't move unless forced to by flanking movements or direct attack.
iii) If you have to disengage and fall back, use the artillery and HQ's to screen the retreat- to avoid disengagement losses- also don't be shy about sacrificing some units to buy time
iv) Never use Tactical or Local reserve- the chance of these not being exploited to your disadvantage by a good attacker are slim indeed
v) Keep mech and armoured units in reserve to block holes in the line- counterattack only if losing an area would unhinge your whole line
vi) Rotate rested units into the front where necessary- pull some units out of the line to rest them, especially the armoured mech reserves if you can bring up infantry to replace them
vii) NEVER (shouting deliberate) overstack- in fact only stack if a unit is likely to break and flee if attacked alone. ACOW is a bloody game system- overstacking accentuates this and increases the chance of you units breaking and running as this is generated mostly by their losses- the supply cost of multiple battles significantly affects the attacker- so a deep defence is much more useful than a thick defence- means each time he breaks your line you fall back so that he faces freshand more importantly dug in reserves- I always think of the soviet tactics at Kursk when planning a defence
viii) Read the rules- and interesting articles on the game- some are now dated by changes to the game system- but all are interesting. I am amazed by the number of players who have not read the manual

Just to stress the point- don't counterattack unless it gains you something. When you do try to ensure you have a screen of dug in units behind the attack to prevent a rout past your starting line if it goes badly

In a more mobile scenario- eg Stalingrad to Kharkov, Drang Nach Osten- where you cannot defend well everywhere- then view the entire turn replay (even if it takes ages- i recently sat through 45 minutes and 10000 moves of Drang Nach Osten turn 1) So you can get a sense of where he is moving the bulk of his army. You have to defend the whole line- but the best units and reserves have to go where the attack is developing.

How many people use the local reserve setting on a regular basis?

[JAMiAM]

I never use local reserve settings. It is far and away the worst possible setting that a player can voluntarily put his units on.

Like Richard mentions, a good player can manipulate your movement of reserves (tactical and local) by his attacks. Local reserves will dance around burning movement and supplies to little effect even when a mediocre player is attacking.

I do use tactical reserve settings, but not as a defensive measure. In scenarios that I can expect to be able to execute multiple attacks, I use tactical reserve status on my support assets (HQ's and artillery) so that they will support battles within range without affecting the starting tactical round for those battles. When I get down to around 30-40% remaining after an attack, I dig them in, so that they don't dance during the opponent's turn. Of course, I do occasionally get caught with my pants down, when the turn ends early through failed prof checks, or battles dragging on longer than expected.

[JAMiAM]

With respect to the tips that Richard gave regarding improving one's defensive play, I am in almost total agreement. However, I should note that his admonition against counterattacks should not be taken too broadly (IMHO). In other words, do not take this advice so dearly to heart that you become afraid of counterattacking.

Those who have played against me, know that I am an aggressive player on both attack and defense. As always, much depends on the scenario involved. Some scenarios, begin with one player as the strategic attacker, and during the course of the game, transform such that player two becomes the strategic attacker. Korea '50-'51 is a good example of this. Other scenarios have player one as the strategic attacker throughout the game, but amply offer, nay require, occasions where player two must become a vigorous counterattacker to secure victory. Daniel McBride's Tobruk '41 is an excellent example of this.

Most scenarios require some level of local counterattacking throughout the game. This, I believe is what Richard had in mind when he cautioned against counterattacking. However, given the overall balance of forces between the strategic attacker, and defender, and the necessity of finding the optimal trade-offs of time, manpower, supplies and space, counterattacking is a vital tool in the conduct of an effective defense. The trick is in how, and when, to conduct them.

That is material for a future article...:D

[Don Maddox]

Originally posted by JAMiAM
Those who have played against me, know that I am an aggressive player on both attack and defense. As always, much depends on the scenario involved...

Tell me about it. Your offensive operation during our Operation Husky battle was brutal. :dead:

[Major Banned]

I've played Richard. He definitely knows what he's talking about when it comes to conducting a defensive battle. Three times, I was the attacker and three times he gained an overwhelming victory. Print out his comments and put them on the wall by your computer.

[Siberian HEAT]

I NEVER use Local Reserves (quoting Jamiam) and I have only used Tactical reserves a handful of times (usually to try to soak off enemy rounds by surprising him). However, if you regularly use tactical reserves, it is easy to probe an ajacent hex, watch his reserves go west...then you attack east. The worst feature of reserves is they will enter the battle in mobile status...which I LOVE to see my opponent doing because it makes pushing them back out of the hex that much easier and it costs them supply and readiness for basically nothing.

I think one thing Richard alludes to but didn't say is to study where you opponent HAS to go. If you carefully study the scenario briefing and VP locations, it is usually clear where axes of attack will develop and thus where you must defend. Therefore by knowing ahead of time where you must defend, you can dig in earlier and be ready to meet the enemy.

Thus, reading the briefing can often be the key to victory (especially in defensive battles)...but I am amazed that there are many good players who do not read it. If you know your opponents goals better than he does, it gives you a huge advantage - and I have used this method successfully many times. :banana: