Ardennes assault help

[Platvia12]

Can you use 2 companies to attack an area?
I want to attack a 5 star area but I doubt I will complete it, is it possible to have 2 companies attack the area? Something like in Total war the reinforcement idea.

[BusinessPenguin]

Nope :(

[Senseo1990]

Hey, unfortunately that is not possible. All you can do is having other companies nearby who will destroy the fleeing forces once you win the battle.

[Platvia12]

Well, I'm ♥♥♥♥♥♥ then. Heavy medium and light mechanized help against rangers or airborne isn't really gonna work, but thanks for the answer.

[Lee_Shawran]

you're done now, if the game is capture point, you're doomed, but if it is a special mission (such as destroy their command trucks, you still can beat them. i recommend you should put your other company to block their retreating route in order to reduce the increasing star of their retreating point from completed sector, it will increase the strength of the companies which is standing there

[alexandrebestetti]

A little "cheat" here, discovered by accident when I get frustrated and quit the game hitting Alt + F4 after finishing a mission. The game saves after missions and enemy will disperse and reinforce other areas if possible. If you quit the game without saving (Alt + F4), you can load the last saved game and the enemy reinforcements will not be there. I know it won't help you now, but if you get screwed again, you may try it.

[Platvia12]

Originally posted by Lee_Shawran:

you're done now, if the game is capture point, you're doomed, but if it is a special mission (such as destroy their command trucks, you still can beat them. i recommend you should put your other company to block their retreating route in order to reduce the increasing star of their retreating point from completed sector, it will increase the strength of the companies which is standing there

I gotta play a game of hold the victory points, which isn't gonna be won by me I'm guessing. Certainly not with airborne or rangers. Last time I had to do that I got lucky because I had 1 engagement and then it stopped for the whole game which won't happen again.

[Aluminum Elite Master]

The trick is to place companies in the lines of retreat from whatever battle you intend to win. That prevents you from having to fight a 5-star in the first place.

But once you have a 5-star engagement? Well, I'd still go with Rangers. You can upgrade them to have muni-free AT weapons. If need be, give an RET squad a mine-clearing kit (5-stars sometimes have minefields).

5-star is probably do-able on Standard, with some luck and if you requisitioned your rangers to have AT upgrades. But if this is on Hard, then yeah, it'll be almost impossible. As someone else said, I'd much rather do a scripted mission on 5-star than a skirmish-style battle.

[PuttyGod]

I'm in the same situation and it looks BAD. I've managed to cut the map into four sectors, so all German territories are finally cut off, but I've got two five star engagement areas with crazy German bonuses (Veteran Falchrims, Vet Light, Medium, and Heavy Armor, as well as what appears to be a new Tiger Ace every five minutes after mid-game).
The only company that has enough manpower (stamina, health, whatever) is the Airborne, while my Mechanized and Rangers finally ranked up, but are too far away and too burnt out to get the job done.
I was hoping that something would happen after I surrounded the sectors, but there is no "Siege Bonus" type mechanic. So what exactly should I do? The five star sectors will never decrease in strength on their own, so is it just Game Over if I can't pull it off? I'm wondering what happens if I kill time, moving my companies around and whether I would still get random events (which would hopefully affect one of the German territories in a negative manner). And as far as I know, companies don't recover their +5 Strength until you complete a battle, so I can't bide my time to get my ♥♥♥♥ together. I also forget if, when I attack a sector, lose, and then get thrown back to the map, if the Germans lose strength as well.
Wow, I'm tired and I'm not sure if my message came out coherently, so pardon my text block.

[Platvia12]

Originally posted by PuttyGod:

I'm in the same situation and it looks BAD. I've managed to cut the map into four sectors, so all German territories are finally cut off, but I've got two five star engagement areas with crazy German bonuses (Veteran Falchrims, Vet Light, Medium, and Heavy Armor, as well as what appears to be a new Tiger Ace every five minutes after mid-game).
The only company that has enough manpower (stamina, health, whatever) is the Airborne, while my Mechanized and Rangers finally ranked up, but are too far away and too burnt out to get the job done.
I was hoping that something would happen after I surrounded the sectors, but there is no "Siege Bonus" type mechanic. So what exactly should I do? The five star sectors will never decrease in strength on their own, so is it just Game Over if I can't pull it off? I'm wondering what happens if I kill time, moving my companies around and whether I would still get random events (which would hopefully affect one of the German territories in a negative manner). And as far as I know, companies don't recover their +5 Strength until you complete a battle, so I can't bide my time to get my ♥♥♥♥ together. I also forget if, when I attack a sector, lose, and then get thrown back to the map, if the Germans lose strength as well.
Wow, I'm tired and I'm not sure if my message came out coherently, so pardon my text block.

You can reinforce your companies strength in the upgrade menu, it says reinforce in the bottom left corner if you have enough points. I also have two 5 star area's, I'm gonna try to capture the sectors to cut fleeing forces of. Then I'm gonna attack them with rangers with upgraded AT weapons. I hopefully will be succesfull.

[whitecastle]

was anybody able to finish the map (called Wiltz) where you don't get manpower? By the second time the script gives you a reinforcement (the first is only enough for 2 rifles and a rear echelon) the ai knocks your base with a pz4, and the map is only 2 star- I'm really at the end of my rope what to do with this. I can't have any map control with three units while the AI runs around with 3-4 pioneers, 3-4 volks, kübel, raketenwerfer (which instakilled my faction M3 halftrack) I can't concentrate fire on any strays, because it's such a small map I instantly get ganged on... Any suggestions? Beside "do not play hard difficulty"?

[PuttyGod]

Originally posted by fgmy:

was anybody able to finish the map (called Wiltz) where you don't get manpower? By the second time the script gives you a reinforcement (the first is only enough for 2 rifles and a rear echelon) the ai knocks your base with a pz4, and the map is only 2 star- I'm really at the end of my rope what to do with this. I can't have any map control with three units while the AI runs around with 3-4 pioneers, 3-4 volks, kübel, raketenwerfer (which instakilled my faction M3 halftrack) I can't concentrate fire on any strays, because it's such a small map I instantly get ganged on... Any suggestions? Beside "do not play hard difficulty"?

I actually just finished that exact mission with two stars, about 20 minutes ago! Personally, I used Baker Company (it sounds like you did, too) and I just sent each unit to their own capture point paths (top points, middle points, bottom points) and kept them moving to get as much ground as I could before they would inevitably take a bunch of it back. I didn't have to worry about vehicles until what felt like ten minutes in, but regardless, I bought the bazooka rack as soon as I had the fuel. My Cavalry Riflemen are maxed out, so everybody had a Browning LMG, a BAR, or a Thompson - they rip up ANY infantry that show up. But they can't handle vehicles, so I would try and make a note to deploy each new cavalry half-track to the bazooka rack first, so I could swap out the Thompsons for some much needed AT. Also, during active fighting, keep your half-tracks empty, but close enough to engage, as they are surprisingly dangerous, and it's great to be able to reinforce any squads that lose a few bros. I also focused on the top half of the map - probably spent 2/3 of my time up top and 1/3 down below. That helps, as you can focus on keeping the top two VPs and only worry about the last one when you have to.
Annnnnd a last few things: I made a few fighting positions with MG's and a Rear Echelon inside - definitely helpful for keeping the bottom VP. I also skipped the Lieutenant and went Captain (bazookas were helpful, too) and right to Major ASAP, so I could have a forward (but safe) retreat point where I could also leave my ambulance. Also, for the two tank call-in, I had them both upgraded to be Wolverines.
I hope that helps?... BUT if you *are* playing on Hard, I have to say it (in your words): "Do not play hard difficulty." Good luck! Now... No. More. TYPING.

[whitecastle]

Oh wow, nice points, thanks for writing it out! Will definitely try again. Maybe not on hard this time.

[HoundEyeX]

All these years later, I just have to repeat it: Do not play on hard difficulty. It is straight up unfair and barely possible, if possible at all. (Depending on what situation you find yourself in.)

Here’s 500 manpower, no income, no fuel, and a rear echelon squad. Tanks are coming in 15 seconds. Good luck boys, we’re all counting on you. 😱😱😱

[Oh for Fox Sake]

The trick, is to have the two company's close to each other link up, and then the far away one will just need to sacrifice it's self and link up with the rest of the company.
don't ever need to fight with the 3rd company because, it will primarily used to block retreat, not actually fight. Use rangers to fight all your missions. and the 2ed as backup. 3rd shouldn't be used to fight or even spend any points on.

Only worry about the capture equipment missions later until you can actually know for sure you can cut off retreats. So don't think you really need them, it's like a lure you have to avoid. Don't go across the map with all three company's, it's best to just make sure they're linked at all times as one unit to prevent retreats and ruining your gameplay.

The devs really want your company's to be split up, ignore that ♥♥♥♥.
Ape strong, together.

Sure your 3rd company will be banged up, but it won't matter.

It's time to embrace the suck soldier! We're stronger together!
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY

[Maverick]

Able is really good on the manpower one. If you upgrade the paratroops 0-2-2 they cost less than conscripts, plus the HMG. Add Able's bonus starting manpower and you can steamroll early game with 4 paras + 1/2 HMGs before first resupply if you sensibly use the Rear Echelons to recrew. The enemy officers can't retreat AFAIK so the HMGs make killing them relatively easy.

Don't forget to have your REs steal the Raketens, cheaper than building your own AT gun.