So as I was making m STuG kampfgroupe last night. I was thinking about things that I’ll have weaknesses against. Mainly, why building a company with an edge towards realism won’t work. And those old war films about the American and German infantry weapons got me thinking to.
This army will likely fail, not as much because STuGs are somewhat fail. But because I only have one ATG.
Why is this Problem? Because STuGs stand a chance in a tank battle with Sherman’s, but when ATG’s are more abundant than tanks, then tanks, especially ones without turrets are screwed. When an ATG can bounce (not penetrate) a round and still take of a fourth my STuG’s HP, that’s no good.
So I have two options, run a conventional company with lots of ATG’s or push ahead with this one and see how it works.
But there may be another option.
I Challenge you to make companies, that don’t depend on Anti-Tank guns for support.
What does this leave you with?
For Whermacht you still get: Fuasts and Shrecks, STuGs, P4s, Mines, Panther, Tiger, 50mm Puma,
For American you still get: Sticky Bombs, Shermans, M10s, and M18s (I think everyone gets those), Zooks, and RRs.
Brits get: Button and Piet, Button and Cromwell, Button and Churchill, 17 pounder (Yea I know it’s an emplacement, probably like most ATG’s should be)
And for PE, (a side note, if you play PE your already used to not having an ATG to lean on and this puts you at an advantage in a way.) But you have similar tools as the whermacht, with the addition of the Marder III, the 50mm HT, and if you’re one of the brave few who play Tank hunters, the Hetzer and the Jagd (maybe). Though really, we should count the 50mm as an ATG so I encourage you not to spam them or use them at all.
Now before you go and crap your pants and flame me this is my disclaimer:
I realize that COH was not balanced to be played without ATG’s, particularly this mod. We already have balance issues and giving up Anti-tank guns for whatever reason will not go over well with some players. Secondly, the problem of ATG’s could be 100% in my imagination so I will keep playing games with my no (minimal) ATG company to see if it’s just me.
So keep playing however you want to play, but if you feel like giving this a go, post that you will and maybe we can arrange some games.
One more thing, why do I think it’s a good idea to use less Anti-Tank Guns?
First; it knocks one of the legs out from under the stool that is Support weapon spam. Support weapon spam only works if you can cover infantry, tanks and arty. Without ATG’s your games will become more dynamic, and will give lesser tanks (Sherman’s and STuGs) a chance in battle again.
Secondly; with the munitions you save from not having ATG’s you can you can get tank and infantry upgrades. Also, with no ATG’s it makes a better to field Half tracks of all sorts. Remember allies, Sticky bombs still Rape halftracks.
Thirdly; I thought I had more reasons, but I pretty much covered all of them in the first reason, a more dynamic game is generally a more fun game.
A side note, on Light Armor, it’s something we have to expect, it might be mitigated by the fact that there
will be more tanks on the field but of course it will be strengthened by the fact that its biggest enemy, the ATG is gone.
On a final note, right or wrong, my gut tells me that the game would be better without ATG’s at least with ALOT fewer. But the only way we will find out, is if we try it out.
