Tactical or Strategic Bomber?

[ceandersen]

Hi Guys,

I have doubts about which Bomber to use. Tactical Bomber Bf110G (this one I like and I get along with it) or the Strategic Bomber He177A (I'm not getting efficient results when tying units (both infantry and armored).
When comparing its attributes He177A looks better on Attack and Initiative, but on the battlefield this does not occur. Am I doing something wrong?

[Cerberus51]

They do different things and need to be used accordingly. Tac bombers (and fighters attacking ground units) do direct damage, weakening the target, and reduce entrenchment.

Strat bombers do some direct damage but generally less than a tac bomber. What they do more of is suppression, making the target less able to damage a ground unit attacking it after the strat bomber has done its work. This is important in forcing surrenders especially. Strat bombers also reduce the target's fuel and ammo. I just tackled a Maus in the last scenario of Allied Corps and three strat bomber strikes reduced it to one ammo meaning the first ground unit I attacked with took damage but succeeding attacks took no damage and the Maus was destroyed at minimum cost. At worst a strat bomber can force a target to use a turn resupplying rather than attacking your units. They also reduce entrenchment.

It is not always relevant, depending on the campaign, but strat bombers are usually better against surface ships than tac bombers (but only tac bombers can attack submarines).

[Psyx]

Tac bombers for destroying armour in open terrain with near impunity, polishing off the last couple of bombers in a formation attacked by your fighters, after giving them the 'assist' bonus on their own attack, and sub hunting. Strat bombers for sinking ships, softening well-protected and dug in troops, suppressing supporting guns and diminishing the ammunition and suppression of late-war heavy enemy armour before a tank-killer moves in on it.

ie: Both. You want some of each. I like to have three level bombers but typically field one or two. I then have the option of using three in scenarios with ships in. I tend to have 1-3 tac bombers, depending on the situation. 2 is normally enough.

[ceandersen]

.
Cerberus51, thanks for the detailed usage, that's exactly what I needed.

They do different things and need to be used accordingly. Tac bombers (and fighters attacking ground units) do direct damage, weakening the target, and reduce entrenchment.

Strat bombers do some direct damage but generally less than a tac bomber. What they do more of is suppression, making the target less able to damage a ground unit attacking it after the strat bomber has done its work. This is important in forcing surrenders especially. Strat bombers also reduce the target's fuel and ammo. I just tackled a Maus in the last scenario of Allied Corps and three strat bomber strikes reduced it to one ammo meaning the first ground unit I attacked with took damage but succeeding attacks took no damage and the Maus was destroyed at minimum cost. At worst a strat bomber can force a target to use a turn resupplying rather than attacking your units. They also reduce entrenchment.

It is not always relevant, depending on the campaign, but strat bombers are usually better against surface ships than tac bombers (but only tac bombers can attack submarines).

[ceandersen]

.
Psyx, thank you! Your tips were very valuable! Above all on the maritime part and quantitative suggested units.

Tac bombers for destroying armour in open terrain with near impunity, polishing off the last couple of bombers in a formation attacked by your fighters, after giving them the 'assist' bonus on their own attack, and sub hunting. Strat bombers for sinking ships, softening well-protected and dug in troops, suppressing supporting guns and diminishing the ammunition and suppression of late-war heavy enemy armour before a tank-killer moves in on it.

ie: Both. You want some of each. I like to have three level bombers but typically field one or two. I then have the option of using three in scenarios with ships in. I tend to have 1-3 tac bombers, depending on the situation. 2 is normally enough.

[captainjack]

viewtopic.php?f=121&t=75612

For some more info and links to the direct and indirect attack tables.

[ceandersen]

captainjack

Your description on that topic is very good and details, thank you!

viewtopic.php?f=121&t=75612

For some more info and links to the direct and indirect attack tables.

[wargovichr]

Strategic bomber critical against Russian engineers and bridging units, heavy tanks and anti-tank, bunkers and Guards infantry, with **AA capability.** The strategic bomber should suffer no losses but suppresses the unit and reduces its movement and ammo and often times this pins the unit for next turn where it attempts to reinforce or resupply.
SPOILER ALERT!:
The favorite trick is to hit the Russian unit with a strategic bomber and park it there for next turn. Move three friendly units next to it (prevents resupply/reinforcement)! On the next turn attack with the strategic bomber again (then move it away), hit the unit once with artillery and then bring in the tactical bomber (no losses!) for a severe blow.

[ceandersen]

wargovichr

I like your "SPOILER ALERT !:". I have done this without using Strategic Bomber, now I understand its use and that this can guarantee me to save precious resources between my units.
thank you!

(...)
SPOILER ALERT!:
The favorite trick is to hit the Russian unit with a strategic bomber and park it there for next turn. Move three friendly units next to it (prevents resupply/reinforcement)! On the next turn attack with the strategic bomber again (then move it away), hit the unit once with artillery and then bring in the tactical bomber (no losses!) for a severe blow.

[wargovichr]

Yes!
"By your command" ("Lucifer," head Cylon Base Star robot).
Then finish off the now surrounded 13-strength 3-starred Russian KV-85 with a mounted infantry unit forcing "surrender," and 40 prestige.
Tear off your helmet, and run wildly and naked around the HQ command post flailing your arms.

[ceandersen]

[hugh2711]

This thread has some some usefull things about strategic bombers
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtop ... 21&t=75823