i just read this old toppic here, and because
the +3 bonus toppic (
http://forum54.oli.us/index.php?topic=818.new#new)
my opinion on vehicles, incl. the +3 bonus here:
in our games we use a lot of vehicles (1 support / 2 units)
what i learned is, that vehicles get shot up rather easy and don“t do overly much damage (3 A)
(they can shoot ~6 times most efficient -> ~3/4 hits D13 ->2-3 dead INF
-> 2 full activations to kill a small squad. the squad will shoot 3-4 wounds, maybe (-> vehicle efficiently dead))
_however_
vehicles ARE very strong
why:
longer lasting
even though a badly damaged vehicle can be killed quite easyly,
IF it is not, it can continue to shoot
-> will shoot with equal efficiency, while squads loose A / W
stability. move your vehicle in front and 1 round you are save.
(-> you can“t remove a new EDD in just 1 round (if played not too risky..))
aiming.
aiming is very efficient with vehicles. here is where the +3 bonus shines most, imho
-> perfect monster/vehicle killer
@+3 bonus:
the examples (s.b.) gives a little inaccurate picture.
often troops are behind cover (-3) or other things.
together with the +3 bonus the total bonus is ~+5 raising RC to 13-14 (EDD even 16..)
without this +3 bonus the hit chance remains at ~50%,
with the bonus (or even aiming) it is possible to shoot very good insted ~70%-80%
-> as even simple cover reduces 50% -> 35% (->
-30%!)
or 80% -> 65% (->-~20%)
i feel that even balance wise the +3 should remain!!(-> thats how you clear out troops in hard cover.. !! grunts with RC 4-5 just can“t do it..
therefore it“s either the vehicles at ~50% hit or CC troops---)
-> even the dreaded strike stimmer:
3 A (incl ambush rule at +3): 9 Shots RC 11+Wbonus -> 5-6 hits dam 13 vs. A 19 -> ~4 W
(against ICS gendarmes, A 16, of course 5-6..)
thats painfull 80 P in trenchers, but this maneuver exposes you to shooting back..
lets say they where just 11 trenchers, now 7 (hey, no specialists here..)
21 shots RC 9 -> ~ 12 hits ~4 W
==> vehicles + infantry is what makes the mix nice..
the MHMG alone is not the victory, but to keep it in the game even if it takes 3-5 wounds!
disclaimer: to field a lot of MHMG“s like 4 or 6 RLBW works, but only because the extreme concentration at one spot.. (and the rather good price)
==> i fear the walker less than the protecting infantry.. 6 W Hurricane is quite tough, yes, but with aiming and RL/MHMG easy to kill.. to shoot 16 P gendarmes or 20 P trenchers in -3 (chassour RC 5..) before attacking him is bad..
uh, long text..
-> vehicles, incl. +3 are ok
(but, i agree, pointwise they are always good to very good and to have any 2/1 slot types is even better)