what is the best way of tankvs tank combat if the enemy is approaching. waiting behind a visibility blocker and poppingup to shoot then retreat. or waitin ambush positions and use opportnity fire if the enemy advances into range?
It depends of which countries are involved + fire control/armor thickness/armor pentration you have. For example if you are playing the Germans and planning to knock out some T-34s from a distance with your Tiger there is no problem in popping up and taking some of them out, T-34s will not penetrate your armor if they will hit you in the first place. You can leave your Tiger in the open for a while to get some with opfire.
On the other hand you understand it is not a good idea to pop up your T-34 in front of a Tiger platoon. In that case you want to suppress the enemy with arty, block its vision with smoke, then ambush actively and if necessary retreat after that.
A good player can always take out even the most superior tank if you rely on opportunity. Last turn I've played saw a T-34 kill Tiger from point blank after five other had hit it a dozen times and several squads had thrown molotovs on it.
Game with friend proved me, that 2 M10s, 1 Sherman and infantry squad can destroy Koenigstiger in open ground very quickly :) Shooting to rear hull may cause that tank will be immobilised.
Simon
Yes I forgot to mention the distance makes a big difference. If you have a 30-40 hex visibility e.g. Tiger is at its best. If visibility is down to 15 or less you´ll easily end up in a situation Vesku and Marduk described.
Actually visibility and open ground are irrelevant. If you keep your Tigers sitting at one spot they will be killed by a skilled player just like any other unit that relies on opportunity. Best tactics is to move unit after first shot ... if it is still alive, don't ever rely on the unit firing opportunity to survive second turn.
Vesku Wrote:Actually visibility and open ground are irrelevant. If you keep your Tigers sitting at one spot they will be killed by a skilled player just like any other unit that relies on opportunity. Best tactics is to move unit after first shot ... if it is still alive, don't ever rely on the unit firing opportunity to survive second turn.
Well since you are the #1 holder at the SP ladder I´m sure you know the business you are talking about! :bow: ...but: if the situation is such you have a 35 hex visibility and no roads coming directly towards you IMO you can leave your Tiger on a hill guarding an open ground for
one turn in case there is not like a T-34/85 battalion approaching, then there is a risk of being overrun. You can take your chances hoping you take a couple of “Sotka” (finnish nickname for T-34 btw) out and going for cover next turn. In that sense visibility and open ground are not irrelevant. At least this has been my experience from time to time.
But if visibility is below 20 and you are playing against say US you can expect a barrage with 0.1 delay on your poor Tiger and then it might not be a good idea, especially if airstrikes are available to your opponent. So as I said countries matter too.... even then, if your Tiger has survived your opponents turn and has been suppressed you can usually get your movement back with “Z” key fire of an infantry squad positioned somewhere behind your Big Cat.
Much of this argument depends on if your playing H2H or WW2, in WW2 sitting in the open for Op fire is riskier, a tiger might get away with it but a PzIV might not, but in H2H setting up for Op fire can be an effective tactic.
Just rem to scoot and keep em guessing, flexible defense.