mwest Wrote:Maybe the solution is not actual forward observer (FO) units, but limiting the ability to call in / plot artillery barrages to regular infantry units? :chin: This would simulate the practice of embedding FOs directly with the assaulting troops. It would also simulate; in a very abstract way, the establishment of forward observation posts, for directing artillery fire onto enemy positions.
The problem there is this thread started as a means to reduce the effectiveness of units bypassed due to the extreme assault rules in calling in arty. If every regular infantry unit (would this include SMG and engineer platoons) is an arty spotter, then you're right back where we started.
My (somewhat pie-in-the-sky) thoughts:
1. I think I like the leader and HQs (probably even infantry company HQs, I guess) calling in arty option. Limits arty to a smaller amount of units overall, and lessens the risks of bypassing. HQs are pretty fragile, too, so they could be reduced fairly quickly. Leaders are tricky, but they are supposed to be force multipliers, right? You could even add in a limited quantity of FOs (1/company or battalion maybe depending on nationality) and retain the leader/HQ spotting as well.
2. If you want to simulate fixed ops with land lines, could you make fixed infantry units (i.e. dug in and immobile) able to call in arty but not unfixed units? Not sure the code would support that, and I can't say that I like fixed units very much.
3. Rather than fixed units, it would be better if just any infantry unit that has not moved from it's starting position could call in arty (to simulate pre-wired comms and pre-targetted barrages), but once they move they lose that ability. But I doubt the game even tracks that sort of thing, so again probably a no-go from the start.
Anyway, not sure I really helped here, but the topic has me interested.
Mike
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