What is best tactic in bad weather?

[timek28]

I've come to realization that even after years of playing PC I still don't understand the mechanics of bad weather completely. I realize that I will have greater losses attacking in bad weather (so I try not to attack unless I really need to, or I have a clear shot at wounded unit). However even if I let AI attack me, and I have artillery support, I still get whacked pretty good (so do AI). It seems that in any case bad weather creates greater losses then normal weather. Even if you suppress the enemy (both in attack or defense). So what is the best way to go about this?

Is backing up 1 hex maybe the best option? Of course this depends on the unit and unit's experience but say we are not talking about elite units here that won't be attacked by AI anyways.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

Not much difference actually. Well, apart from airforce.

All I can say is use a bad turn to resupply a Flak and aircraft. Flaks are out of jobs on rain turns, so why not? Otherwise I just do whatever I was doing before, and get annoyed at the computer for making the white graphics come up instead of the green (I like the green graphics, but hate the other 2)

- BNC

[sauvequipeut]

For the AI rain is a great combat leveller, especially in the early years. The initiative cap makes attacks much more attractive, so I kind of operate on the assumption that anything that can attack me, will. It depends on the situation - whether I'm attacking or defending, pressed for time or not or (worst case) about to face a huge AI counter-attack ( ALWAYS get a rain turn then ) So, in 'worst case' situations where I'm moving first in the turn: One thing I have learned is to look out for any 88's that I have deployed forward in a ground role. In rain, without their mega-initiative advantage) they get eaten alive by anything, so I either pull them back a hex, cover them or back them up with at least a couple of artillery. Moving infantry out of close terrain hexes into open ground can help keep casualties down (although the AI's will be lower too). I resupply every artillery unit I can - all the defensive fire required in a rain turn can leave your artillery reduced to throwing rocks if you're not careful. I try not to advance if I don't have to, unless I'm sure there's nothing ahead - spotting AI units by walking into them is not ideal.

On the plus side, rain can sometimes be a friend. The AI's spotting is as borked as yours, which gives you a chance to set some nifty ambushes as the AI rushes to mug units it can see, or slide units round its flanks into the AI's rear. Fuel permitting, your air units can park next to enemy airfields or over enemy cities with impunity. The next turn of good weather they can attack an AI air unit, or check out the defences and then make a clean getaway before the AI fighters or AA can react.

In worst case where the AI is moving first in the turn...you're probably in for an 'ouch time'. Mitigate it by keeping an eye on the forecast and assuming that if rain is forecast, then that 80% chance is likely to come up. If you're wrong, take that as a bonus. Bear in mind Napoleon's maxim that went something like, 'A general should ask himself dozens of times a day..'What if the enemy appears now on my left flank? Or my right flank? Or in my rear? And if he lacks an answer, his deployment is bad, and he must make immediate changes.' Oh, and you can still try and set some nifty ambushes

[timek28]

sauvequipeut great advice indeed! Very detailed to every possible scenario.

Especially like the Napoleon one! Although covering all sides (especially rear side) in PC is not always possible just due to the restriction of number of units in the core

I'll try some of your advice.
Thanks a lot!

[captainjack]

There's already a lot of sound advice.
As noted, spotting restrictions can be used to advantage (refuelling, setting ambushes or traps). Incidentally, with switchable AA, think about setting them to AT mode before refuelling, just in case a stray enemy unit blunders into them.
I think that the danger of the initiative restriction is often greater later on, since units that should get a huge initiative advantage (thereby taking few casualties) can now be badly damaged because the advantage is lost. So refuel your high intiative attacking units and wait for a clear day (or suppress every single point before attacking). But of course, bad weather also reduces the effect of artillery fire by increasing defence by 4, so suppression might be a bit harder.
The other issues are rivers and lakes which can become passable on freezing and strand units when they thaw. Defending a river is easy until it freezes. A thawing lake can make units magically disappear. I've never yet deliberately killed an enemy unit this way though I lost at least one of my own that was on a frozen lake and then wasn't there any more. Maybe there should be a Steam achievement - Ice Warrior - for trapping an enemy unit on a frozen lake that thaws.

Incidentally, when I started playing Panzer General Forever, I couldn't cope with weather and switched it off until I learnt how the game worked, so you aren't alone in finding it a bit hard to deal with.