Post by Apshai on Apr 11, 2015 12:50:31 GMT -5
(Note: I am not the original author of the below write-up)
Overview
There are several approaches to taking bases but most of them stem from this basic approach.
While we don't yet know the specific algorithms employed by the game mechanics to determine base defense priorities, there are some consistent behaviors that we've witnessed and these behaviors can be exploited to help minimize losses.
Bases seem to target, and hit until the entire division is destroyed, their biggest threats first. These would be APC's and the units who have an attack bonus when targeting Bases. In order, APCs, Howitzers, Panhard Tanks and Cobra Helicopters. APC's will always be killed first and appear to under most circumstances, be the only unit that a base will abandon all other attacks to target. Even if a base is on it's last shot and seemingly firmly fixated on another group, don't bring your APC close or it will shift it's focus on to the APC and it only takes one hit from a base to kill it.
Once the base locks on to a threatening division, it will continue to attack that group until all of the units in that division are eliminated.
The other factors that seem to dictate the base's behavior are the strength of a division and whether or not it's approaching the base. Assuming that all the above (sans APC) are approaching the base at the same time and if the base is choosing, given the opportunity, the base will target the Howitzers first then the Pans and then Cobras. If you get the base to engage the Pans first, it will continue to attack the Pans until the group is eliminated allowing the other stronger troops to move into position. If the Howitzers can get into place before the first group of Pans is destroyed, the base will target the next threatening group that is moving toward the base. If the Howitzers are no longer moving toward the base but next group of pans is, it will target the Pans over the Howitzers.
If there is a weakened division, the base will attack that group whether it's moving or not. You should always try to use full groups of Howitzers if you are trying to take a base.
A note on movement before I continue. A group doesn't have to be physically moving on the screen for it to be 'moving.' If you click on the guns (red circle), the units will not only shoot at that mark but they will position themselves to get a shot. If there are other units blocking their path, they will move around those units until they can get into range of the base. Once they're in range, they'll start shooting but as far as the game is concerned, they're still 'moving' into position. Because they've targeted the base and not a place on the map, they are in a sort of perpetual motion until the base is dead. When you move Howitzers into position during an attack, place them into a position (white circle) where they are in range to shoot and do not target the guns specifically. Once they're in this spot, they will be less of a threat to the base than group of moving Pans. Additionally, if you select 2 divisions at the same time and send them to a single mark, one of them will never reach the position and will simply stop physically moving when it bumps into the other group. Technically, it's still moving and 'trying' to get to the mark so the base will interpret that as aggressive movement and target that group over the Pans.
Standard Practice for Attacking a Base
The best way to attack a base with walls and advanced missiles is to have a several groups of Pans in a straight line positioned above or to the side of the base (to avoid blocking other group movement). Position 4 groups of Howitzers just below the base front. Move the Pans forward toward the base so the base locks on to the first group. Keep the 2nd group of pans right behind the first. If both the Pans and Hows are just outside of the range of the adv missiles and the base is >30 guns, the Howitzers will cover about 75% of the distance by the time that the first group of Pans is destroyed. If you're attacking a base that is >30 guns, DON'T move the Howitzers all the way in. Move them to about 3/4 the distance so they're NOT moving when the base shifts from the first group of pans to the 2nd. If the Howitzers are sitting still, the base will continue to attack the group of pans that are approaching it. Once the 2nd group of Pans is engaged, continue the move toward the front of the base. DO NOT select all of them and simply click to the front or target the base as discussed above. Select them one at a time and send them to different places in front of the base. Once they are settled in position, shooting or not, the base should continue to attack additional Pan groups as long as they are moving toward it. Try to monitor the line of Pans so as one group is finished off, the next group is in motion toward the base.
Use of Stealth Units
Using Comanche choppers and PL-01X tanks over Howies and Cobras have become the preferred method of attacking bases. Even though those units are more expensive than the howies and cobras they more than pay for themselves because as long as you have panhards attacking the base your Comanches and PL-01X units will NEVER be targeted until all Panhards have been destroyed. They also pack a very good attack punch as well. Comanches attack a base with twice the strength of Cobras (2500 vs 1250). If you've ever been in a base fight and you've lost divs of howies and MTSAs while pans are just sitting right there by the base you'll appreciate this battle tactic. MTSAs and howies still have good use but don't be surprised if you lose a few of these expensive units in any base attack regardless of how careful you are.
Please be aware that using Comanche choppers in any attack leave them open to counter attacks. Comanches are a high-value target by many enemy players especially those with Berkuts nearby. It is wise to always have some tiger chopper divs and maybe some alligators available for perimeter defense while attacking a base with these units. And NEVER leave stealth units on the front line or next to the highway.
Overview
There are several approaches to taking bases but most of them stem from this basic approach.
While we don't yet know the specific algorithms employed by the game mechanics to determine base defense priorities, there are some consistent behaviors that we've witnessed and these behaviors can be exploited to help minimize losses.
Bases seem to target, and hit until the entire division is destroyed, their biggest threats first. These would be APC's and the units who have an attack bonus when targeting Bases. In order, APCs, Howitzers, Panhard Tanks and Cobra Helicopters. APC's will always be killed first and appear to under most circumstances, be the only unit that a base will abandon all other attacks to target. Even if a base is on it's last shot and seemingly firmly fixated on another group, don't bring your APC close or it will shift it's focus on to the APC and it only takes one hit from a base to kill it.
Once the base locks on to a threatening division, it will continue to attack that group until all of the units in that division are eliminated.
The other factors that seem to dictate the base's behavior are the strength of a division and whether or not it's approaching the base. Assuming that all the above (sans APC) are approaching the base at the same time and if the base is choosing, given the opportunity, the base will target the Howitzers first then the Pans and then Cobras. If you get the base to engage the Pans first, it will continue to attack the Pans until the group is eliminated allowing the other stronger troops to move into position. If the Howitzers can get into place before the first group of Pans is destroyed, the base will target the next threatening group that is moving toward the base. If the Howitzers are no longer moving toward the base but next group of pans is, it will target the Pans over the Howitzers.
If there is a weakened division, the base will attack that group whether it's moving or not. You should always try to use full groups of Howitzers if you are trying to take a base.
A note on movement before I continue. A group doesn't have to be physically moving on the screen for it to be 'moving.' If you click on the guns (red circle), the units will not only shoot at that mark but they will position themselves to get a shot. If there are other units blocking their path, they will move around those units until they can get into range of the base. Once they're in range, they'll start shooting but as far as the game is concerned, they're still 'moving' into position. Because they've targeted the base and not a place on the map, they are in a sort of perpetual motion until the base is dead. When you move Howitzers into position during an attack, place them into a position (white circle) where they are in range to shoot and do not target the guns specifically. Once they're in this spot, they will be less of a threat to the base than group of moving Pans. Additionally, if you select 2 divisions at the same time and send them to a single mark, one of them will never reach the position and will simply stop physically moving when it bumps into the other group. Technically, it's still moving and 'trying' to get to the mark so the base will interpret that as aggressive movement and target that group over the Pans.
Standard Practice for Attacking a Base
The best way to attack a base with walls and advanced missiles is to have a several groups of Pans in a straight line positioned above or to the side of the base (to avoid blocking other group movement). Position 4 groups of Howitzers just below the base front. Move the Pans forward toward the base so the base locks on to the first group. Keep the 2nd group of pans right behind the first. If both the Pans and Hows are just outside of the range of the adv missiles and the base is >30 guns, the Howitzers will cover about 75% of the distance by the time that the first group of Pans is destroyed. If you're attacking a base that is >30 guns, DON'T move the Howitzers all the way in. Move them to about 3/4 the distance so they're NOT moving when the base shifts from the first group of pans to the 2nd. If the Howitzers are sitting still, the base will continue to attack the group of pans that are approaching it. Once the 2nd group of Pans is engaged, continue the move toward the front of the base. DO NOT select all of them and simply click to the front or target the base as discussed above. Select them one at a time and send them to different places in front of the base. Once they are settled in position, shooting or not, the base should continue to attack additional Pan groups as long as they are moving toward it. Try to monitor the line of Pans so as one group is finished off, the next group is in motion toward the base.
Use of Stealth Units
Using Comanche choppers and PL-01X tanks over Howies and Cobras have become the preferred method of attacking bases. Even though those units are more expensive than the howies and cobras they more than pay for themselves because as long as you have panhards attacking the base your Comanches and PL-01X units will NEVER be targeted until all Panhards have been destroyed. They also pack a very good attack punch as well. Comanches attack a base with twice the strength of Cobras (2500 vs 1250). If you've ever been in a base fight and you've lost divs of howies and MTSAs while pans are just sitting right there by the base you'll appreciate this battle tactic. MTSAs and howies still have good use but don't be surprised if you lose a few of these expensive units in any base attack regardless of how careful you are.
Please be aware that using Comanche choppers in any attack leave them open to counter attacks. Comanches are a high-value target by many enemy players especially those with Berkuts nearby. It is wise to always have some tiger chopper divs and maybe some alligators available for perimeter defense while attacking a base with these units. And NEVER leave stealth units on the front line or next to the highway.