Scourge of War Boards

I just started playing the game. I am still playing through the tutorials. I was wondering, when using artillery do you have to choose the type of round the guns will use or does the game automatically switch to the appropriate round? I have been picking different types of rounds just to see what would happen. I did not see any difference in the animation or casualties inflicted, so I did not know if the change had taken affect. I have other questions but I will stick in my toe with this one.

Thanks
Mike

Welcome...

Good question. You can select your preferred round or the AI will do it for you, whether it does a better job, the critics are still out. When the enemy is within 200 yards, guns will automatically switch to canister. When depleted of canister, they retreat when threatened, out of that range.

Lot of arty nuts, err, gurus abound here, I'm sure you'll get more definitive answers if you keep probing the subject.

Don't let the ai choose targets. Either select to target infantry or artillery. Always use solid shot.

Michael -

Arty won't win a battle for you but it will help prevent a defeat.

As KG mentioned, the two basic issues are selecting solid shot and either target infantry or artillery (NOT AI).

There are a few other basic things to remember:

-Keep your artillery back from the front line if at all possible.

-Place on high ground with open fields of fire.

-Try to place with a defensive bonus (wall/fence/treeline) to give you the defensive bonus and possible conceal your guns if in the treeline.

-Assuming you are playing the stock game, use your 3inch guns for counterbattery, 10 pders for targeting infantry at long range and 12 pders to anchor defensive strongpoints.

-When at all possible, guns placed on the flank providing enfilade fire - even at distance - on the enemy will cause much greater damage.

-IF you are going to counterbattery fire, there a couple of things to keep in mind. First if it is a short scenario of 1 hour or less it isn't worth it. Second, provided you have the time in a longer scenario, you need to keep counterbattery fire consistently applied for at least 30-45 minutes in order to get results. 3inch guns are most effective, however 10 pd and 12 pd guns can help increase fatigue on targeted artillery reducing accuracy and ROF.

-One thing I have noticed is that shrapnel will better at inflicting casuaulties much later in the game when troops are fatigued and already suffering a morale loss from being engaged in combat. You may want to experiment with that as well.

*S*

Willard

Thanks for the info. Specially about range. One thing how can you tell if the guns are using canister, shell, or shrapnel. I have seen the round flaming puffs above targets, I assumed it was probably shell, and the star burst I assume to be shrapnel. I have also tried to choose targets. I clicked the choose target icon and I get an arrow with a cross hair in it but when I click on the desired recipient nothing happens. There were some lovely march columns and flank shots I tried to take advantage of to no avail.

Mike