This is BS

[Jimib4158]

lost a battle at 20:1 odds WTH?

[CHOO CHOO]

There are multiple things that the odds do not take into account. Morale, supply, APs, and more. Do not rely purely on the odds.

[Thomas]

Scouting - you need at least 100 scouting to have proper info about enemy hex and proper battle odds. Otherwise planning is made according to not full enemy forces (with improper scouting I often see 20 light tanks in light tank battalion - when I know that there are supposed to be 50 of them).

[Gregorovitch]

Yes. The quoted odds are largely based on what you currently know about the enemy units in question. Notice, for example, that often the game will be telling you there are 3 or 4 of them. So you attack and suddenly another 20 appear out of nowhere.

This is all about recon level. You can see what your current recon level is on the combat encounter screen before you pull the trigger. If it's low expect more resistance than the game is currently telling you.

The two units you can use to significantly improve recon early game are buggies and motorcycle units. It is well worth building a few of these and assign them to your regular infantry brigades. You will find your recon levels go through the roof if you do that.

Note also that recon level is a combat modifier as well as a fog of war mechanic. Enemies are much easier to kill if you know exactly where they are. Therefore buggies and motorcycles not only tell you more accurately exactly what you are facing up against they also enable your regular troops to kill the more effectively. Much more effectively.

[BATTLEMODE]

The odds are only worked out for what you can currently see with your current recon level. Even then, they're somewhat inaccurate by design I think, they're for estimation only.

You need 400 recon to fully see a hex and even then there are other factors that the game takes into account. Unfortunately the only way to really get a grip on the real estimate is to know the game quite well.

[Dave]

I've mentioned in another thread, once I get some custom formations going I like adding motorcycle outriders to light tank battalions. I don't know if that's strictly optimal compared to independent units, but it's easier to manage, and seems to do well enough in battle.

But before that, build recon units as already stated.

Also, the combat game isn't just about winning each battle outright like some other games. Sometimes it's about cutting their supply lines while keeping your own open. Or it can be cutting off a unit so it has no adjacent friendly territory, then forcing a retreat is just as good as obliterating it outright.

[PraiseYouAllMyLife]

must be bunk

[流れ星]

Motorcycle troops can't equip combat armor for some reason. Only padded envirosuits. So I rather use recon buggies with decent armor and heavy engines. But I agree in principle: Recon units are important. Know thy enemy and all that. With poor recon, you constantly run into ambushes. Hidden units and units that appear much smaller than they are.

[Wilhelm]

you should fire your scouts before exposing yourself as an incompetent leader by blaming the soldiers instead.