This is a discussion about tactics in PBI.
What is your favourite tactic.
Here are some thoughts.
1. Distraction
If the attacker moves/shuffles a few bases about on the quiet flank the defender will often stay static in anticipation. The defender should re-deploy to counter the real threat.
2. Counter attack
The defender should carry out assaults on vulnerable/passive attackers.
3. Defender rapid move
The defender should consider a rapid move to catch attackers in the open. They might be hiding behind a hill/wood and crowded in the open. If those crowded attackers can be pined maybe ,they will make a good HE target for light mortars?
4. Maintain the initiative
Whether attacker or defender; do something. It stops the other player thinking about his own plan.
5. Have a plan
Mainly attacker. Decide which two objectives you are wanting. One objective is enough if you also take the buildings and kill plenty of opponent bases.
6. Put a couple of bases ( a rifle and an LMG) in flanking squares to prevent opponent arrivals on the flank. Not needed if no enemy are imminent or possible.
7.MMGs make a good initial defender unit. Even with few AP they can still cut a swathe. Good in here they come shooting too. Not good in a fight.
8. Put a pair of bases ready to assault and use "surprise" to suddenly reinforce it and claim short assault.
9. Losing "taking cover " whilst in buildings and woods makes no difference, unless at proximity range.
10. Do remember that 1 hit per 6 D6 is the expected outcome. This can vary wildly (intentional). Players often have 5D6 to roll and expect a kill. Not that likely, but worth a try. Killing bases in buildings that are not in proximity will usually need 36D6. Be aware of that.
11. Smoke is very useful to disrupt lines of fire.
12. Hills with no partial cover are useful to delay enemy (usually attacker) movement. They are cautious about having no cover.
13. When defending, overlap platoons so that they can assist each other on minimising morale effect. e.g two dead bases can be split into 1 per platoon.
14. Choose scenery with no buildings. This makes it tough for players who are not bold.
15. The German LMG extra 2D6 makes a very small difference. Do not consider it a reason for your not winning. Get on and attack/defend.
16. If an opponent has a lot of D6 to roll when shooting at you, it is probably because he has a lot of men and AP shooting at you. See 10.
17. Medium mortars are difficult to use and should be avoided by new players. They are very good if used by an experienced player. In attack they often turn up too late. Attackers should bring them on as early as possible in order to lay smoke and HE in support of the attack. This depends on how "busy" the scenery is too.
18. Be prepared to throw away a couple of bases in order to get a unit on at a critical time. It is mostly easier to hold an objective than take it.
19. Use a pair of tanks to "roam" the table to encourage enemy infantry to do nothing. Not so good if the opponents have a fair bit of AT.
The above are just thoughts and not prescripts.
martin :)
Thanks Martin, this is very useful to a novice like myself!
My favourite tactic? I can't give away confidential information like that. 8)
All the best,
Jim
All wise thoughts, Martin.
I find that I am not as good as I should be at initial force composition and scenery layout - both can matter.
Also, concentration of force? I've played a couple of games recently as Defender when the Attacker seemed to put all his focus on one Objective - scary stuff!
Simon
Yoube forgotten its always wise to roll lots of 6's ;)
The idea of go strong on 2 rather than weak on 3 objectives is something I learned a while back. Secure 2 then if the 3rd is within reach go for it but make sure you get 2.
Something I've never done is to use transports. I've been slowly supplying my late war Getmans and US with half tracks and trucks.
I think the second half of 2024 will be a PBI year for me, trying to work out how to clutch a draw from the jaws of victory ✌️ 😅
All good stuff Martin. I'd never considered 13!
The downside to #13 of course being that you may not wish to use that square to shoot from, as you'll only be using some (rather than all) of the bases each time.
Simon