Slitherine

With the new out and back mechanic of air units in Panzer Corps 2, is there a way to provide Combat Air Patrol for Ground units like Arty or should we rely on Mobile Flak?

It works the same way it does in PzC.
You just have to move your fighters into position each turn.

When you move an airplane, it stays in position until the start of your next turn.
At the start of your turn it returns to base, and you can now move it back into position for next turn.
So when your bombers attack the AI, your plane stays in position to be attacked by AI, just as AI planes hang around for you to attack.

The only 'problem' is that when it rains, you can't retaliate against the AI.
Which was true in PzC.

While it takes a while to get use to, the new system works well.

kverdon wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:44 am With the new out and back mechanic of air units in Panzer Corps 2, is there a way to provide Combat Air Patrol for Ground units like Arty or should we rely on Mobile Flak?

Is there any reason to use mobile flak anymore? I did not use it in PC1 as it was bad, but here it doesn't even kill planes anymore, just suppresses them

pewp3w wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 6:45 am

kverdon wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:44 am With the new out and back mechanic of air units in Panzer Corps 2, is there a way to provide Combat Air Patrol for Ground units like Arty or should we rely on Mobile Flak?

Is there any reason to use mobile flak anymore? I did not use it in PC1 as it was bad, but here it doesn't even kill planes anymore, just suppresses them

Try using the AA Veteran trait.

nexusno2000 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:24 am

pewp3w wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 6:45 am

kverdon wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:44 am With the new out and back mechanic of air units in Panzer Corps 2, is there a way to provide Combat Air Patrol for Ground units like Arty or should we rely on Mobile Flak?

Is there any reason to use mobile flak anymore? I did not use it in PC1 as it was bad, but here it doesn't even kill planes anymore, just suppresses them

Try using the AA Veteran trait.

I think, I just stick with planes.

pewp3w wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:56 am

nexusno2000 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:24 am

pewp3w wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 6:45 am

Is there any reason to use mobile flak anymore? I did not use it in PC1 as it was bad, but here it doesn't even kill planes anymore, just suppresses them

Try using the AA Veteran trait.

I think, I just stick with planes.

A little umbrella of 88s... it's beautiful.

Yeah, I always want to use 88s, because they are pretty cool, but it's never really worth it in any game

88 are very powerful in PC2 !

i used one to protect all the front (with lethal trait, it does 5 dmge minimum ) and it provides anti-tank support to infantry and others tanks !

AA shines later in the game when you have a lot of units to protect, you can use it to suppress fighters on your turn as well so taking them down is easier.

AA does protect your ground units, with AA support your units receive less damage than without.
An AA attack suppresses fighters and thus allows your fighters to attack with less retaliation.

In the historic path the AI ends up with more air power, and AA is necessary to protect your ground units.
All AA units can switch to AT, this give more flexibility to the units.

LethalAttack, a hero and a player option [for AA] converts 50% of suppression to kills which makes AA much stronger.

Sometimes I play with a lot of AA, sometimes with none.

Mobile flak is very useful. Any AA gun you can lower the cannon and use it as an AT unit, and do a good job of mopping up. If air supremacy is your might as well get use out of those cannons.

Also mobile guns you can move and shoot, so if a plane was not within range at the beginning of your turn you can still get it.

I like AA veteran as a skill, really makes them more effective. But even without the skill, and all you get is suppression, I feel AA is still worthwhile. Suppression isn't sexy, but by suppressing the enemy planes your own will take less damage, and AA pays for itself in prestige by lowering your repair costs for your interceptors.

Many times an enemy bomber will fly over an arty and not attack once it sees the projected outcome. Yes you can fly cap, but you protect a small area; an 88 will put out an umbrella over your force freeing your fighters for offense, and avoiding damage to your corps. Not to mention 88s do pretty darn well against Matildas.