[Epic] Tactical Hint (the benefits of artillery)

From: Sean Robert Smith <srsmith_at_...>
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 16:18:46 +1200

Some one on the list, I can't remember who, recently argued that artillery
is not the worth expense, except for the odd two or three pieces. Their
argument was that you can normally only get two units under barrage
template and that 41 points (the cost of a IG heavy artillery piece) was to
much pay for 2 fp (I normally get 3 units under a template). 1 Space marine
squad costs 30 points and you get 6 fp, while 2 IG squads costs 28 points
and you get 4 fp.

What this argument didn't take into account is the advantages of artillery,
which are as follows:

1) Artillery, because of its greater range and being able to fire at units
which are out of LOS, can fire at targets which other units can't.
2) Artillery doesn't have to move allot normally (if its positioned well)
so it gets go on overwatch orders allot more than other units. This means
artillery inflicts more damage than you would expect it to at first sight.
3) Artillery, because of its greater range and being able to fire at units
which are out of LOS, can fire at units without having to put its self in
harms way, as opposed to IG and space marines.
4) Artillery always has the option of inflicting damage before the enemy
gets to fire, by carrying out a preparatory bombardment.
5) Because of its greater range and the ability to fire at units which are
out of LOS, it can lend fire support to most friendly units, were as space
marines and IG normally have to lose a turn or more moving before they can
provide support.
6) The threat of artillery will force the enemy to deploy his units in
spread out formations. This means that less of his units are going to be
able provide supporting fire to his units in close combat. Also because
your enemy normally won't have enough room to spread his units out length
wise (otherwise he is likely to be in LOS of your other units) he will have
spread them out length wise, this means the units at the back may will be
out of range some of your units.
Received on Sat Feb 21 1998 - 04:18:46 UTC