Whats the purpose of unit commanders

[Skylar27]

As the title suggests , what's the purpose of having unit commanders and what does the shaded area on the map around such mean ?

Thanks ~

[CoolDTA]

The commanders add useful bonuses typically for attack and/or defense. The shaded area shows the range of this effect. It helps you to place the unit with a commander in such a way that you can maximize the effect.

[Skylar27]

Thanks ,

Does the shaded area help with the attack/defense of friendly units as well or just the commanded unit

[Andy2012]

Thanks ,

Does the shaded area help with the attack/defense of friendly units as well or just the commanded unit

All units in the shaded area are affected / are getting a bonus. Powerful commanders have a large effect radius and thus boost your whole core. (Or at least a lot in that area...)

[Skylar27]

Thanks guys for the information ~

[Skylar27]

Another quick questions ,

Does it make any difference what unit ya stick'M in , like would a panzer commander be better in a panzer unit or can ya stick him anywhere ?

[bru888]

Another quick questions ,

Does it make any difference what unit ya stick'M in , like would a panzer commander be better in a panzer unit or can ya stick him anywhere ?

You cannot mix and match army, navy, and air force commanders, like putting an ace pilot on a PT boat. But there are definite differences between commanders within each category.

This is how you would normally see the strengths of a commander:

Screenshot 1.jpg (69.82 KiB) Viewed 3718 times

But I am going to use the scenario editor to show you a few more. Now, if you were to wanting a commander for a Panzer unit, which one would you choose?

Capture434.jpg (81.95 KiB) Viewed 3718 times

Capture435.jpg (78.45 KiB) Viewed 3718 times

Capture436.jpg (77.61 KiB) Viewed 3718 times

Capture437.jpg (78.21 KiB) Viewed 3718 times

Hints: Red gear = enhanced attack against mechanised units; Blast = shock (damages efficiency); Bolts = assault (reduce fortifications)

[Skylar27]

Thanks bru888 for the clarification

[Igor1941]

commander for Waffen SS - Michael Wittmann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wittmann participated in the battle on the Kursk Bulge; for one day on November 13, 1943, destroyed 20 T-34 tanks. For the day of January 13, 1944 destroyed 19 tanks and 3 SAU SU-76

[bru888]

commander for Waffen SS - Michael Wittmann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wittmann participated in the battle on the Kursk Bulge; for one day on November 13, 1943, destroyed 20 T-34 tanks. For the day of January 13, 1944 destroyed 19 tanks and 3 SAU SU-76

Yes, the "Panzer Ace." Now, this fellow I would assign a red gear, level 2! He was a handsome devil, to boot.

Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1983-108-29,_Michael_Wittmann.jpg (65.52 KiB) Viewed 3639 times

[kondi754]

You may also check Franz Staudegger or Rudolf von Ribbentrop (both from SS-Leibstandarte), who are better suited to Panzerkrieg in my opinion.
Wittman became famous after the battles of Dnepr, Cherkassy and Korsun (winter 1943/44), but mainly after Villers-Bocage in Normandy(june 44)
Staudegger and Ribbentrop are heroes from Charkov (february/march 43) and Kursk (july 43)
I highly recommend son of Reichsminister Joachim von Ribbentrop, commander of Leibstandarte's 6th Panzer Company at Prokhorovka.

[Igor1941]

battles of Dnepr, Cherkassy and Korsun (winter 1943/44)

Léon Joseph Marie Ignace Degrelle "You are truly unique in history. You are a political leader who fights like a soldier. If I had a son, I would want him to be like you." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9on_Degrelle

[sthanno]

Do the unit commanders gain experience and/or additional traits?

[Shards]

They don't gain experience (that's linked to the unit) but they can confer traits if the designer has set them up that way (e.g. The bonus commander in Rising Sun for Owning Morning Sun confers Flexible Pathing)

[sthanno]

So in looking at the screenshots above, Guderian has four abilities while Balck has one--so Balck may gain a new ability, and then have two of them?

[Skylar27]

I know they can be injured ... can they be killed ?

[bru888]

I know they can be injured ... can they be killed ?

No, they are invulnerable in that way although there was some discussion awhile back in changing this, perhaps.