Naval russian infantry

[Trepko]

Hello,
I'm wondering if someone has already made a good use of Naval Russian infantry ?
Its stats are roughly the same as regular infantry (slightly less powerful), for roughly same prestige cost (slightly less), with same core slot (3). I know it's contributing to the diversity of available units (and it's always welcome), but tactically speaking I don't see any particular reason to use it (and from 43' it's completly useless). I never saw a naval inf in a MP game.
Maybe there would be some ways to specialize this unit so it becomes valuable in some situation ?
Here are some ideas:
- add a "port fighter" trait => the unit is more powerful in port hexes (+x att/def/init etc.. in port hexes, in the same way mountain inf is more powerful in mountains). Very situational but it could replace engineers for port defense.
- add a "sea fighter" trait => the unit is more powerful in coastal hexes (+x att/def/init etc.. in coastal hexes). More polyvalent (useful in any scenario with sea)
- add a powerful "naval" trait => the unit can embark in a sea transport from any coastal hex. Useful for scenario where you need to cross the sea to attack.
- add a medium "naval" trait => the unit can embark in a sea transport from any city hex which is near a sea hex
- add a "sea endurance" trait => the unit is much more resistant when embarked in a sea transport (for example 10 def instead of 1). The unit would be less vulnerable to warship attacks and therefore more suitable for crossing seas under heavy fire.
- add a "sea runner" trait => the unit is faster when embarked in a sea transport (for example 5 or 6 movement points instead of 4).
- add a "sea landing" trait => the unit can attack after disembarking (careful, very powerful).

Of course prestige cost and core slot would be reconsidered depending on what bonus are chosen.
I'm sure there are tons of ideas you guys have to customize this unit. Feel free to share them !

[a432]

I often wonder that as well. The naval infantry, What use does it serve? None as of now I can see.

Lets give it some use!
Personally I like your port fighter or sea fighter ideas and makes it similar to something already familiar, mountain troops.

I like the idea of a marine type unit. Useful for attacking from sea transport

[robman]

Great suggestions! I would like to have more incentive to field a wider variety of infantry types, instead of “as many engineers as I can afford”—that’s so boring!

[GUNDOBALDO08]

I believe that with pacific dlc and the introduction of marines it is inevitable that the function of naval infantry will be revised

[GomezAdams]

They should get an amphibious assault bonus.

Where regular troops land and can't attack let the naval infantry land and be able to immediately move and attack as if it's a normal move.

[Bee1976]

- add a "port fighter" trait => the unit is more powerful in port hexes (+x att/def/init etc.. in port hexes, in the same way mountain inf is more powerful in mountains). Very situational but it could replace engineers for port defense.

- add a "sea landing" trait => the unit can attack after disembarking (careful, very powerful).

These 2 sound great! I know Attack Action after disembarking is really strong, but that would be a nice reason to use this infantry. I mean both uses are very niche, so it isnt to powerful compared to engineers

[adiekmann]

- add a "port fighter" trait => the unit is more powerful in port hexes (+x att/def/init etc.. in port hexes, in the same way mountain inf is more powerful in mountains). Very situational but it could replace engineers for port defense.

- add a "sea landing" trait => the unit can attack after disembarking (careful, very powerful).

But why? What historical and realistic reason would a unit be better at fighting in a port? It just seems like total fiction to me.

These 2 sound great! I know Attack Action after disembarking is really strong, but that would be a nice reason to use this infantry. I mean both uses are very niche, so it isnt to powerful compared to engineers

This idea, on the other hand makes total sense. But there is already historically a name for those kinds of units: Marines. We will see how US Marines stats and abilities differ from other infantry in the Pacific DLC.

[Bee1976]

But there is already historically a name for those kinds of units: Marines.

Indeed, but Trpko asked for russian naval infantry. And i assume that russia dont use us marines

Well, a realistic reason for units fighting better in a port hex, might be fighting from the water aswells. I.e. a small boat. Its hard to aim and fire while you are in water or on a boat. but this is something that can be trained.
ok. but then this kind of infantry should be really cool on river and swanp hexes aswell. hm

[Xteam25Boyz]

Well, I think it is just following the history.

In WW2, there are 2 kinds of Soviet naval land force: 1, Marine brigade, or "Морская пехота бригада" (naval infantry brigade) in Russian. Their task is the amphibious warfare. 2, Naval infantry brigade, or "морская стрелковая бригада" (naval rifle brigade) in Russian. These units are made from sailors on useless warships or other soldiers in land naval bases. They are pure infantry units.

However, considering there are not many chances for the Soviet to do the landing attack, both of them are mainly used in normal land battles. Some marine brigades were switched to naval infantry brigades. In 1943, considering the lack of support fire on brigade level, most of them were changed to normal infantry divisions.

In the early stage of WW2, the navy has more educated soldiers (you need to finish the high school before join the navy) and suffered few loss compared to the army. That's why the naval infantry prefer to use more advanced weapon, such like SVT-38/40 semi-auto rifle. (it requires more maintenance work) Because of this, naval infantry was seen as the elite infantry in Soviet military force in the early time, and disappeared at ~1943.

[Akkula]

Well, I think it is just following the history.

In WW2, there are 2 kinds of Soviet naval land force: 1, Marine brigade, or "Морская пехота бригада" (naval infantry brigade) in Russian. Their task is the amphibious warfare. 2, Naval infantry brigade, or "морская стрелковая бригада" (naval rifle brigade) in Russian. These units are made from sailors on useless warships or other soldiers in land naval bases. They are pure infantry units.

However, considering there are not many chances for the Soviet to do the landing attack, both of them are mainly used in normal land battles. Some marine brigades were switched to naval infantry brigades. In 1943, considering the lack of support fire on brigade level, most of them were changed to normal infantry divisions.

In the early stage of WW2, the navy has more educated soldiers (you need to finish the high school before join the navy) and suffered few loss compared to the army. That's why the naval infantry prefer to use more advanced weapon, such like SVT-38/40 semi-auto rifle. (it requires more maintenance work) Because of this, naval infantry was seen as the elite infantry in Soviet military force in the early time, and disappeared at ~1943.

The Soviet naval infantry performed hundreds of amphibious operations in the Black Sea, Leningrad area, Murmansk area and a few on some Baltic islands.
And of course on many many land battles, even during the battles of Moscow and Berlin.

Best regards,
Akkula.

[Xteam25Boyz]

Well, I think it is just following the history.

In WW2, there are 2 kinds of Soviet naval land force: 1, Marine brigade, or "Морская пехота бригада" (naval infantry brigade) in Russian. Their task is the amphibious warfare. 2, Naval infantry brigade, or "морская стрелковая бригада" (naval rifle brigade) in Russian. These units are made from sailors on useless warships or other soldiers in land naval bases. They are pure infantry units.

However, considering there are not many chances for the Soviet to do the landing attack, both of them are mainly used in normal land battles. Some marine brigades were switched to naval infantry brigades. In 1943, considering the lack of support fire on brigade level, most of them were changed to normal infantry divisions.

In the early stage of WW2, the navy has more educated soldiers (you need to finish the high school before join the navy) and suffered few loss compared to the army. That's why the naval infantry prefer to use more advanced weapon, such like SVT-38/40 semi-auto rifle. (it requires more maintenance work) Because of this, naval infantry was seen as the elite infantry in Soviet military force in the early time, and disappeared at ~1943.

The Soviet naval infantry performed hundreds of amphibious operations in the Black Sea, Leningrad area, Murmansk area and a few on some Baltic islands.
And of course on many many land battles, even during the battles of Moscow and Berlin.

Best regards,
Akkula.

I totally agree there are many important landing battle in the east front. For example, the Soviet marine did a really important counter-attack landing in Murmansk. Another example is 255 Marine Brigade (it was classified as naval infantry at 1943.2-1943.7), they were used in the landing at Taman. Most of these marine brigades were formed at early 1941, and they are trained for landing. These marine brigades belongs to fleet or navy, have complete fire support units in the brigade and sometimes they fight with the support form fleet.

However, the naval infantry was different. Because of the heavy loss of Soviet army in Barbarossa, Stalin decided to form hundreds of infantry brigades, they are mainly pure infantry units, lacking of fire support and belongs to Army. Most of naval infantry brigades we're formed at late 1941 or early 1942. They have educated soldiers compared to recruits in normal infantry unit, that's why they did a better job in land battles compared to regular infantry units. With the recovery of Soviet weapon industry, there are some tanks and cannons strengthen into These brigades. In late 1943 and early 1944, most of naval infantry brigades (and regular infantry brigades) were reorganized to regular infantry divisions, some naval infantry brigades were reorganized to individual mountain infantry brigades.