What's the deal with AGs?

[Heldenkaiser]

Still trying to figure out the uses of my various unit types ... What are AGs good for? I thought that since the advice for armour and AT guns was that they should rather not be on their own, AGs were also best used in combined arms stacks in the open - right? But to my surprise a few of my AGs have been holding out nearly completed surrounded, practically out of supply and deep in the red, health-wise, on a ridge between Bayeux and Bretteville for several turns now - their infantry has quit long ago. What makes them so resilient, and does that mean they can be used for holding a line all on their own? Only in hills? Any other advice on how to employ them? Thanks. :)

[General Staff]

I try and use them in urban areas first. Then as tanks which I prefer in open/hills etc.... Always in Combined Arms stacks if possible and well dug in.

Of all the heroics I've seen in TOAW a few SPGs defending often by themselves and to the bitter end, in places like Stalingrad or Normandy, would be right up there.

But you could post this Q in a non-scenario-specific forum (Matrix, SZO, Blitz) because it has always deserved looking into. I thought TOAWIII would make these less effective, but it doesn't seem to have done- they are still brilliant defensive units if sited and entrenched properly.

[MarcA]

I thought the StuH42 and the Stug III were motorised assault guns, not anti tank weapons. I see from the internet that the Stug III Ausf G was upgraded foranti tank use, is this what is included in the scenario. If not the AG unit in the game (I have only seen one so far) could be mislabelled. Note the StuH's anti armour and anti personel ratings.

[MarcA]

I thought the StuH42 and the Stug III were motorised assault guns, not anti tank weapons. I see from the internet that the Stug III Ausf G was upgraded foranti tank use, is this what is included in the scenario. If not the AG unit in the game (I have only seen one so far) could be mislabelled. Note the StuH's anti armour and anti personel ratings.

As an update, I followed Heinz57's link, in his thread in HQ units in the main workshiop forum, to the website describing OOB symbology. This site says that sometimes the only real difference between assault guns and tank destroyers were the missions they were assigned. He goes on to say the Stug III was a tank destroyer and in the very next parargraph says the Stug III was an assault gun. Confused yet.

As the StuH42 is definitely an assault gun it might have made more sense to assign the formation assault gun status.

Now a general question. If the unit was given the symbol for an assualt gun would the game treat it differently. Does the game link unit dependent rules to the type of symbol chosen to represent it or does it assign these rules solely on the units abilities as dictated by the equipment in its TOE.

More specifically, can I treat this unit as a motorised assault gun unit or does it have behaviour particular to tank destroyers

[General Staff]

More specifically, can I treat this unit as a motorised assault gun unit or does it have behaviour particular to tank destroyers.
I don't unfortunately 'do' specific equipment, though I believe I know something about what works and what does not.

A suggestion- try posting at more general forums/threads for advice.

Hope this helps.

Late edit: I'd commend this as a player trying to get to grips with the mechanics. A suggestion- post on other TOAW-related forums for more specifics.

[Veers]

Something with a good AT rating is going to do well against tanks, regardless of what symbol is being used. Likewise, something with a good AP rating is going to do well against infantry, regardless of what symbol it is under.

So, if you look 'under the hood' of an assault gun Battalion, and find its full of tanks, or tank-destroyers, you can use it as anti-tank, at no penalty.

[General Staff]

So, if you look 'under the hood' of an assault gun Battalion, and find its full of tanks, or tank-destroyers, you can use it as anti-tank, at no penalty.
Good advice here. I usually at a 2WIN level look 'under the hood'. But I've seen this get a little pedantic at some forums, hence my advice. If you have interest in how many airgun pellets it might require to take out a Tiger or Panther or Sherman, believe me there are places you can ask and maybe even find out.

Hope this helps.