Matrix Games

Each unit has different strengths & weaknesses. Victory will require using ALL unit types at your disposal. In this dev diary we’ll talk about combined arms tactics.

Stat Bonuses

To simulate units supporting each other, unit of different types within ~1sqkm give other nearby friendly units stat bonuses. This encourages you to make regiments of mixed types. Ex: Mechanized Infantry, Tanks & Anti-Tank Guns.

Stat bonuses do not stack (having MORE infantry does not give additional bonuses). Unit types do not give themselves their own bonus (ex: two infantry units near each other do not give each other the infantry support bonus). Think of it like each UNIQUE nearby unit/weapon grants additional capability.

Specialists

Non-frontline units also provide their own specialist expertise & abilities in addition to raw stat bonuses to nearby friendlies.

Engineers

Minefields: Enemy minefields apply a crippling stat debuff, inflicts minor casualties and horribly slows your units. Engineers not only grant minefield immunity to nearby units, they also actively clear them. Any assault against a fortified enemy through minefields is doomed to fail without engineer support.

Engineers can also play friendly minefields. Plant mines on roads leading to objectives you must defend and right in front of your fortifications.

Destroying Fortifications: Fortifications are slowly destroyed while fighting. However Engineers are armed with specialist tools & weapons for destroying fortifications rapidly. Engineers will automatically move to assist & destroy fortifications that friendly units are fighting against.

Constructing Fortifications: Engineers construct higher-level fortifications than other units (80% fortification level vs the default 40% fortification level). They also make nearby units entrench more quickly

Scouts & Recon Aircraft

Recon units automatically move about searching for enemies. ‘Spotted’ enemies are revealed in the fog of war even if they move away from the frontline. They also receive significant stat penalties (your troops know their positions!): -300% long-range barrage defence, -20% close-range defence, -20% damage which lasts 12 hours.

Artillery & Close-Air Support

Artillery can fire long-range artillery barrages, allowing them to quickly assist any unit within their long (11+km) firing range. Barrages inflicts high initial casualties which decreases over time as enemies seek cover. They also destroy fortifications, with the rate of fortification destruction starting slow but increases over barrage duration. Units being barraged can’t recover morale, and also suffer a significant stat penalty: -30% damage, -30% movement speed, -50% morale.

Fighter-bomber aircraft are also rapid response options that can provide near-immediate barrages. They apply the same barrage effect as artillery, but apply a further morale debuff and actively drain enemy rain (it’s disheartening being constantly strafed!).

Anti-Aircraft Guns

AA are unique in that they can attack both ground and air targets. Nearby aircraft will be shot at, applying a significant debuff, lowering their damage & morale. Aircraft will take evasive maneuvers, seeking easier targets not protected by flak. 

The Luftwaffe in the Western front at this point of the war have been practically destroyed. You (the Allies) will have near complete aerial superiority. Change the mission area of your aircraft if you notice your planes being shot at by AA guns (or manually move a ground unit to engage the AA gun on the ground).

Advice

• Create mixed regiments. Attach a tank company/battalion to each of your infantry regiments to maximize combined arms status effect bonuses.

• Use the ‘Specialist Actions’ order to have your scouts, artillery, engineers and aircraft perform their respective specialist roles to soften up

• Attach engineers to every division. They’re invaluable on both offence AND defence.

WISHLIST NOW:

https://www6.slitherine.com/game/battleplan