Author Topic: Any reason to use the Sniper over Arrow IV? (Read 12908 times)

Colt Ward · « **Reply #60 on:** 02 January 2020, 12:08:05 »

Yeah, my Kindle got broke by the toddler so I do not have TacOps handy . . . its MoF, and I was going with the base IDF being 7 IIRC.

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #61 on:** 02 January 2020, 12:59:01 »

Quote from: Cannonshop on 02 January 2020, 10:25:35

I'm comparatively lazy, I just run a base of 4 thumpers for every 12 other units. (meaning that with a battalion, I've got a full battery chugging away merrily, creating patterns I can base the movement of the rest of my force on.)

but then, I have a sort of 'planned fire' proportion here: 1 arty piece and you might as well have left it on the dropship. 2 and they're not much better, even if they're Long Toms, because while the blast pattern is huge-it's TOO huge, esp. with the random landing, you can't actually support a counter-attack with it, and oddly enough, if you can't support the counterattack (because you can't afford to get close enough without losing whole units) then it's worthless to me unless you can deny a LOT of terrain.

What if you're shelling a fixed position, like an enemy outpost?

Daryk · « **Reply #62 on:** 02 January 2020, 14:26:25 »

One tube should do for that, assuming the "target" isn't a Castle Brian.

Colt Ward · « **Reply #63 on:** 02 January 2020, 15:29:12 »

Suppressing fire is going to need more than 1 tube if you are trying to keep enemy mechs, armor & BA from taking firing positions. While I generally support pre-spotted hexes, b/c I know what IRL accuracy (and math) is like, I do not support a attacker getting to select a fortified position hex as a pre-spotted location . Additionally, you might want to lay down smoke to block fire from the side positions while your forces advance on the section of a line you are pounding with HE . . . more than one tube also allows you to follow the shoot & scoot doctrine to avoid counter-battery or airstrikes against your firing units while keeping up the pressure, especially if its Thumper field guns.

Oh yeah, and if it was not mentioned, field guns are absolutely a reason to use Sniper over A4 for the ammo reason, since a field gun only gets a single ton of ammo.

Daryk · « **Reply #64 on:** 02 January 2020, 15:47:31 »

A4 can be Field Artillery? ???

Colt Ward · « **Reply #65 on:** 02 January 2020, 16:43:12 »

Pretty sure b/c it is listed as a artillery system rather than a missile system- but I do not have my books on me.

Weirdo · « **Reply #66 on:** 02 January 2020, 18:03:58 »

Yes, as evidenced by the published A4 platoon in 3085.

Daryk · « **Reply #67 on:** 02 January 2020, 18:10:15 »

Well, then... roger that! Thanks! :thumbsup:

Hellraiser · « **Reply #68 on:** 02 January 2020, 22:04:38 »

But its only 1 ton of ammo like all FG/FA, so, 5 shots, so it doesn't have a lot of longevity in a fight.

Hellraiser · « **Reply #69 on:** 02 January 2020, 22:11:00 »

Quote from: Colt Ward on 01 January 2020, 02:38:25

The Cappies A4 carrying Catapult is criminal in this regard- 5 rounds? Its better than nothing, but not by much . . .

Well lets be honest, that thing was designed to be a 3050 Field Refit.

Me, I would have taken it from C to D grade & given it DHS/FFA to allow for more ammo & maxed armor while still being Field Grade, but what can you expect in 3050, lol.

Its not bad when you realize it is likely the ONLY Artillery from IS mechs for close to a decade.

I had a company with a pair of them & an Ostscout. It wasn't perfect but in a pinch those 2 could put out some firepower downrange that the enemy was not expecting in a typical Mech battle in that era.

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #70 on:** 03 January 2020, 00:46:18 »

Quote from: Hellraiser on 02 January 2020, 22:11:00

Its not bad when you realize it is likely the ONLY Artillery from IS mechs for close to a decade.

And the O-Bakemono and Thunder Hawk were not nearly as widely available. It wasn't a great artillery mech, but it was a lot better than no artillery mech.

Col Toda · « **Reply #71 on:** 03 January 2020, 09:48:09 »

It is very clear Arrow IV as the ammo types are very flexible and useful . Just Fielding Anti Air Arrow IV rounds makes the knee jerk reflex of sending conventional or aerospace fighter to take out the artillery units very expensive .

Colt Ward · « **Reply #72 on:** 03 January 2020, 10:14:54 »

Quote from: Col Toda on 03 January 2020, 09:48:09

Just Fielding Anti Air Arrow IV rounds makes the knee jerk reflex of sending conventional or aerospace fighter to take out the artillery units very expensive .

So . . . IIRC, standard rounds from tube can be fired in a AA mode- which makes tube superior in addition to its range.

Daryk · « **Reply #73 on:** 03 January 2020, 10:23:40 »

The only thing in the Arrow's favor is the 20 points in one location for thresholding in that case. Artillery flak does damage in 5-point groups if I remember right.

BATTLEMASTER · « **Reply #74 on:** 08 January 2020, 16:00:38 »

I love deploying multiple Sniper tubes with field gun infantry. It's a fun way to get artillery into the game without breaking the BV bank! I house rule different ammo types into a ton of ammo though.

Colt Ward · « **Reply #75 on:** 08 January 2020, 16:09:19 »

What, break it up like Proto ammo?

You know, we need a 3150 Raven Proto with BA Artillery . . .

Kargush · « **Reply #76 on:** 21 January 2020, 17:46:55 »

Someone remind me. I know AIV can do nukes, can tube arty?

Colt Ward · « **Reply #77 on:** 21 January 2020, 17:56:43 »

Well . . . Atomic Annie was 'heavy' artillery back when they had h/m/l distinctions between the systems, and was a higher caliber than the 'Long Tom' of which is was a late contemporary. If they can, its going to be the smallest warhead probably.

Kargush · « **Reply #78 on:** 21 January 2020, 18:01:31 »

Quote from: Colt Ward on 21 January 2020, 17:56:43

If they can, its going to be the smallest warhead probably.

That'll be more than enough. ;)

Not that I'd ever use nukes in BT of course. I mean, I'm no Regulan.

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #79 on:** 21 January 2020, 18:29:49 »

Quote from: Kargush on 21 January 2020, 17:46:55

Someone remind me. I know AIV can do nukes, can tube arty?

There aren't any current rules for nuclear shells for tube artillery. Though it's mentioned that the Grand Titan Vengeance from XTRO Phantoms that the mech allegedly fired nuclear rounds.

dgorsman · « **Reply #80 on:** 21 January 2020, 19:22:29 »

IO has the type 1b as both Arrow IV and Long Tom. The custom nuclear weapon options can probably be used for smaller tube sizes.

Arkansas Warrior · « **Reply #81 on:** 22 January 2020, 09:39:41 »

Quote from: Colt Ward on 21 January 2020, 17:56:43

If they can, its going to be the smallest warhead probably.

Nah, the create-your-own-nuke rules (from one of the Jihad books, IIRC) could (again IIRC) be used to make nuclear warheads for things as small as LRMs or even hand grenades, IIRC. Even a Thumper round should be child’s play, comparatively.

Dave Talley · « **Reply #82 on:** 22 January 2020, 13:58:27 »

So a mech with a Long Time cannon could make a ton be a nuke?
This deserves study

truetanker · « **Reply #83 on:** 27 January 2020, 14:32:34 »

LT rounds for artillery, yes...

LT Cannon, no... to short. You'll get hit in the blast zone as well as the enemy.

TT

Colt Ward · « **Reply #84 on:** 27 January 2020, 15:17:43 »

Quote from: truetanker on 27 January 2020, 14:32:34

LT rounds for artillery, yes...

LT Cannon, no... to short. You'll get hit in the blast zone as well as the enemy.

TT

Well . . . you could do it . . . it would just be Kurita's Chain Gang worthy. Give the pilot some other weapons and tell him to only fire it when he has 4 mechs in the 'blast zone' (as he is told) . . .

Taber_Evans · « **Reply #85 on:** 24 February 2020, 04:54:02 »

Hhmm--interesting?! I can see no listing for US nuclear mortars on wiki except the 1950's test unit. But Ive met folks supposedly quall'ed on heavy morrtars. Range limitations placed the firing unit inside the blast zone. Looks like some of the Soviet systems would also place the arty inside the blast zone?

AlphaMirage · « **Reply #86 on:** 24 February 2020, 09:17:03 »

There is a Soviet super heavy mortar (2S4) that can lob tactical nuclear shells but yeah seems a little danger close

truetanker · « **Reply #87 on:** 24 February 2020, 13:44:50 »

Quote from: AlphaMirage on 24 February 2020, 09:17:03

There is a Soviet super heavy mortar (2S4) that can lob tactical nuclear shells but yeah seems a little danger close

And...

A few more cat girls just died, again...

TT

ANS Kamas P81 · « **Reply #88 on:** 24 February 2020, 21:55:15 »

Quote from: truetanker on 24 February 2020, 13:44:50

And...

A few more cat girls just died, again...

TT

Don't worry, radiation will mutate a few more to replace them.

Imagine nuclear artillery under the old scatter rules if you want to wake up in a cold sweat.

MoneyLovinOgre4Hire · « **Reply #89 on:** 24 February 2020, 22:24:34 »

Where you had a high chance of missing the map?