Do I really need the artillery car?

[ShepherdOfCats]

Not looking for spoilers really. Just wondering how many people beat the game without it.

I'm sure its useful but. . .

I'm wondering if I get the chance to buy better weapons would it be wise to try to sell it? Most of my guys still have the tier-1 weapons and money is in short supply.

Also I have the Hound engine so I'm counting on having to sell it at some point anyway. I'm already maxed out and I still don't have a hospital car.

I went south, don't know if that matters.

[The Great White Shiekh]

I have cleared chapter 7 without it thus far, also took the northern route. Thought about buying it but didnt have the money. Definitely would make things easier on some missions.

[Whit]

Originally posted by ShepherdOfCats:

Originally posted by Whit:

Not sure if you are aware...but provided you keep the MGs manned on the artillery car they will beat off Red Army biplane airstrikes for the cost of 100 MG ammo. These strikes, which can happen when your spotted meter gets high, can damage train cars and wound your troops.

Wasn't aware. That's very useful info. I've been pretty good about keeping my threat level down but I kind of regret taking the Hound locomotive because I'm moving too fast, even on slow speed, lol. I'm skipping a lot of POIs but I have to keep moving to keep the threat level down. Most I've gotten so far is the scout plane warning.

I also had a random event where I was ambushed at a roadblock. It would have triggered a real time battle if I would not have had the MGs manned on the artillery car.

Now, I'm at the point where the Whites and others (like the women quarry miners) are serving up large amounts of artillery ammo. I've crafted some using the workshop car as well. It can really turn the tide or straight up win certain missions.

[Reaper King]

The value of the artillery car comes down to your playstyle. If you only ever go quite and enjoy avoiding conflict you could very well be better off without it. I however go loud on most missions and therefore find the artillery car to be amazing. It gives you 3-4 call ins of artillery per mission provided you have shells stored. Each call in drops 2 shells layered in on top of each other and is basically a " Delete this button". It has come in handy numerous times. Any mission with an entrenched position turns what would be a laborious and risky battle into an effortless and quick attack. Likewise as others said any mission where they want you to kill an general to end the battle is incredibly simple. Spot him with a recon unit then drop artillery. So is the cart worth it ? In my opinion absolutley. For me the 2 most important cars are the artillery car and the hospital car. All others are truly optional and can be done without provided you have those 2.

[Zaczac121]

Originally posted by MK_101:

Originally posted by kyu bey:

You can get 1 for free?
I'm in chapter 6 start, haven't seen any.

Maybe I just got lucky then

I got one in Chapter 3 by a legionary train wreck.