Self-Propelled Arty

[RedOktober]

I am really curious how to use these better, Soviets ones are pretty straight forward but like the Priest and some on the Allied ones, I do not get how to use as far as getting a ranged shot with accuracy. Any tips would be great.

[Sempai]

My personnel opinion - You have to be very carefully! It starts with how to move and don´t finishing with how to attack. SPAs are very good in defending operations. Their low hull height make them very hard opponents most of the time. If You have the choice move them only as would You use guns with halftracks! Don´t use them as real tanks! If You come in a dangerous situation as be flanked - don´t try to turn around! Try to retreat to a save or at least more save position! That explains why You should move fast insteed to hunt if there is the opportunity the enmy could break Your hunting movement from Your flanks. A tank would turn his turret immediately - a SPA has to turn around the complete hull. That´s one of the most important differences for my estimation.

Greetings

[RedOktober]

My issues are with how to get them in the best possible ranged attack, though that was some really good advice on how to move them.

[Sempai]

That depends of what the situation is. It´s always better to "sneak" in position on a hill slope - so that You come in hull down position. You should set a firing arc to avoid useless turn arounds and such things. But not always it´s possible to "sneak" in position with a SPA. Then You have to decide what´s best for a unit with a almost fixed barrel and no turret to react quick. Note - the smaller a target (Your SPA for example) the harder to hit that target. So You should try to show the smallest side to Your opponent and in an angle of 20°??? (I think POS wrote a thread of that topic) degree. But You need a little bit practic to make it right. Ah, almost forget to say - if possible let Your (turret-) hatches open. Your commander sees more and reat faster. But be aware of snipers and such crap!!! :)))

[Bert Blitzkrieg]

Any on-map gun can only hit anything if it has LOS to it. So if you want to pour HE on to a certain area you need LOS. You can't target anything wthout LOS. You can "play" a little with it, because the HE rounds will not hit the same spot twice. Especially the lower quality (green etc.) will have a larger area they hit then the higher ones.

Personally I use them most often to (area-)target buildings, infantry but I like to target close to a tank which I haven't LOS to so that the blast can immobilize it or even cause an abandonement.

[PoorOldSpike]

Some of the Russki SPG's have got boring confusing names, so here's a roundup i've just done to help us fathom what's what. (I'll do a German guide later)


CMBB RUSSIAN SPG's BASIC GUIDE
They can be broken down into the following categories based on the penetrating power of their AP shells.

Excellent pen
ISU-122
SU-100
ISU-152
SU-152

Good pen
SU-85

Average pen
SU-76
SU-122 (very low-velocity gun, inaccurate at longer range)

The ISU-122 is the best penetrator but personally I prefer the SU-100 which hits almost as hard, reloads quicker, and moves faster.
The numbers in their names refer to the calibre of shell (smaller shells reload faster), for example the 152's take forever to reload.
Also 152mm shells fly slower than smaller shells and are therefore less accurate at longer ranges.
As regards frontal armour, all Russian SPG's are about the same, a good solid green, except for the weaker SU-76.

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Below- these are the stickied charts in the FGM Tactical section from which the above ratings were extrapolated-

TANK GUN RATINGS
The 'L' number refers to barrel length, for example an L48 is much longer than a stubby L22.
Generally, longer barrels are more accurate than shorts because their shells fly faster.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub3/penet4.png
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub3/penet5a.png




ARMOUR RATINGS
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub3/mid-russAA.png
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g64/PoorOldSpike/sub3/late-russA.png

[Pauloondra]

About names I can say that:
"T" for "tank" (and don't try to say you knew it!) :)
"SU" for "Samokhodnaya ustanovka" (Self-propelled unit), shorted from "Samokhodnaya artillerijskaya ustanovka" (Self-propelled artillery unit)
"IS" for "Iosif Stalin", "KV" for "Klim Voroshilov" (another revolutioner)
"ISU" for "Iosif Stalin - Ustanovka" - means SU on IS base.
Why the main series of tanks named just "T" - well, it's honestly a tank! :) Not a cat :) We could never bring cats into a battle - they'er too cute..:love: maybe bears, but surely not cats :RpS_laugh:

In small arms (PPSh, PPD, DShK, AK, etc) and aviation (Mig, La, Yak, Il, Ka, Mi, Tu, An, etc) names usually made from constructor's last name.
In modern Russian arms there're a few funny names, maybe I'll write about them, if found enough info. :)

[Cue-Ball]

Why the main series of tanks named just "T" - well, it's honestly a tank! :) Not a cat :) We could never bring cats into a battle - they'er too cute..:love: maybe bears, but surely not cats :RpS_laugh:
He-Man and Battle Cat disagree :RpS_cool:
http://smallscreenscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/he-man-whats-going-on.jpg

[Bootie]

He-Man and Battle Cat disagree :RpS_cool:
http://smallscreenscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/he-man-whats-going-on.jpg

HAHAHA... classic.

[Pauloondra]

Lol :RpS_biggrin: I don't mind, but it's just because Battle Cat isn't too cute:RpS_tongue: