Archer Tank

[acarhj]

I have never had good luck with the Archer. Axis can typically roll up on it and put it out of it's misery without a shot in defense. In the times that I've taken the Archer, the tank has fired a grand total of 1 shot in reaction in 6 games. So it occurs to me that in order to fire the archer, you actually have to turn around. Is the logic that when you turn the tank around that the computer thinks that the tank is facing backward? Even though the business end is facing the enemy, the tank is actually facing backward. Just an observation. I suppose a way to test it is to face the gun backward so the tank is rolling forward. If it is more responsive in shooting, that probably is the answer.

John

[pipfromslitherine]

Hmmm - interesting point. Strictly speaking the gun is on the back, but now I think about it, I don't know whether we treat the gun end as the front and move it backwards, or visa-versa...

Let me take a look

Cheers

Pip

[junk2drive]

In the squad.cvs the Archer has a 180 firing setting. This should also be applied to the Portee.

The real life problem wiith these units was that you drove to a spot then had to turn around to point the gun. If it took too long you might not survive contact.

[Acererak]

Good question.

Besides, I found out that both Marders and Archers do not perform that well when used as static anti tank assets.

They perform much better in the "hunting" mode, i mean just let them hide out of the enemy´s sight during his turn, and then come out from your cover to hunt and destroy in your turn, getting back to cover if possible to protect them. The less they get shot at, the longer they will survive and be able to score some nice shots (since distance is not a problem for them either)

I believe this is the way this type of self propelled anti tank guns where used in real combat. Their armor is so weak they wont survive that many shots/opportunity shots fired at them.

[pipfromslitherine]

From my reading they were mainly used for ambushing, where they could fire and then immediately drive off at top speed to avoid the retribution. But it might be that there is some oddness going on because of their fairly rare use of the 180 fire setting. I think it's probably a case of trying to make it more obvious to the player which way they are 'looking' when reacting to the enemy.

Cheers

Pip

[gib10]

From my reading they were mainly used for ambushing, where they could fire and then immediately drive off at top speed to avoid the retribution.

Yes but the game as its designed doesnt allow you to ambush and then high tail it outta there. Not unless you change it for those kinds of units with some kind of pre-ordered movement once you shoot and then deny/prevent counter fire. Would be cool but a bit tought to do I assume.

[shawnt63]

I suppose you would have to script something into the Archers reactive fire, probably should do the same for the US TD's as well as they often used a shoot and scoot methodology as well. Is it possible to allow for a reaction shot from Tank Destroyers and then a retreat into or towards cover?