Ju-87 D3 = Worthless as Ts on a Boar Hog!

[JDPUK]

I've used every division in the game and probably damn near every vehicle and or equipment, I can't say I've found a more useless platform than this. It rarely destroys its intended target, constantly after striking the target it will automatically fly to the top of the map to make its return, WTFO, I don't get why it does that and then usually gets obliterated within seconds by attack aircraft on its return. I've flown CAPS to aid them, positioned AAA IVO, it doesn't matter, they tend to be made of paper and are destroyed via a single strafe run form an opposing aircraft. I sent six of them at the same time to destroy a Calliope and they didn't even destroy it. Am I missing something on how to use these or what?

[IceWord]

Just don't use Stuka,you are lucky if they can even drop their payload,they are the worst air craft I've seen in any RTS game even Hungarian biplanes are better.

Only use them if no CAP nor ANY AA in the area,over extended infantry for example.

[JDPUK]

Originally posted by BTTLSTARIceWord:

Just don't use Stuka,you are lucky if they can even drop their payload,they are the worst air craft I've seen in any RTS game even Hungarian biplanes are better.

Only use them if no CAP nor ANY AA in the area,over extended infantry for example.

I couldn't agree more, this is something Eugen needs to look into, I have a very difficult time believing they were this inept. I essentially use them as a single launch and forget, you have less than a 20% chance of bringing them back due to the fact they always fly to the top of the map, even though their target was in the lower portion, it appears to be flawed.

[jswarpaint]

The mod workshop will tweak it think War in the West SD44

[DasaKamov]

Originally posted by JDPUK:

I have a very difficult time believing they were this inept.

I mean, the Ju-87 "D" series was considered obsolete by the Luftwaffe in 1942, and we're playing a game set in 1944. ;)

[JDPUK]

Originally posted by DasaKamov:

Originally posted by JDPUK:

I have a very difficult time believing they were this inept.

I mean, the Ju-87 "D" series was considered obsolete by the Luftwaffe in 1942, and we're playing a game set in 1944. ;)

I mean, yeah, could see that, though its functionality is what concerns me the most, from a TTP perspective it makes no sense to auto fly the entire length of the map to strike a single location, that's the biggest issue.

[DasaKamov]

For me, any Stukas I take are used primarily in a defensive role, as they're just too damn slow to be able to strike offensively.

That is, I'll use them as CAS if the enemy is trying to push deep into my own territory, as they usually have over-stretched their own AA net and are potentially within your AA bubble. If the opponent(s) are busy managing their forces on the ground, they sometimes are in poor position to respond to close-in Stuka strike -- or they point-and-click their fighters to intercept your Ju-87s, and their fighters get chewed to shreds by your AA.

[JDPUK]

Originally posted by DasaKamov:

For me, any Stukas I take are used primarily in a defensive role, as they're just too damn slow to be able to strike offensively.

That is, I'll use them as CAS if the enemy is trying to push deep into my own territory, as they usually have over-stretched their own AA net and are potentially within your AA bubble. If the opponent(s) are busy managing their forces on the ground, they sometimes are in poor position to respond to close-in Stuka strike -- or they point-and-click their fighters to intercept your Ju-87s, and their fighters get chewed to shreds by your AA.

Nice strategy, have done this a few times myself, will do it more often when using Stukas, appreciate the response!

[Doomier Guy]

I get that they were obsolete and vulnerable by 1944, but maybe they should be more numerous and cheaper to balance this out? It's what the Nazis did with them after all. Just flew them in massive waves (and took massive casualties).

[FREEZED]

sometime when you use air unit is better to call them to some other spot than target and then manually approach target from different direction than they automatically do, learn how those fly and then you can make those move mostly over friendly units.

sometimes automatic returning after bomb run is idiotic so chancing approach direction can change return path to better direction.

[Larbo]

They are paper thin, but one thing that might help is to give it way points so it's attack run goes diagonally. Maybe it can choose to turn towards your map edge after the attack then.

[fakemon64]

Microing your planes will help keep them alive

As FREEZED said, try calling them in the battlefield (in your back lines) and let them loiter some before you send them to attack. This may draw enemy fighters out and force them to fly into your territory instead of your planes meeting them near the middle of the map or over enemy territory. this way, hopefully your AA can help more.

Also, automatic winchester can get your places killed, especially slow planes like stukas. Wait until they are already in your back lines before you tell them to evac.

Stukas are much better when used in numbers, one good tactic is to hold off until C phase when you can get a metric ♥♥♥♥ ton of them out at once. I try to avoid them in A-B phase, unless i basically have air superiority or something

[Tseppo]

As already mentioned Stukas were very much outdated by 1944, Most consider them outdated already early in the whole war, being 30's technology.

They were slow, didnt hold energy well, were lightly armoured and always needed an escort.
I would use Stukas only if I had total air supremacy AND all enemy AA destroyed.

[JDPUK]

Hey guys, some good points, definitely as many of you stated, they require a good deal of micro. Good thing is if you wait until phase B/C you get about 18 of them which gives you something to work with. Great point on Automatic Winchester, basically tossing them to their death using that approach, one strike (if lucky) and they are destroyed. The AI especially at hard and very hard tends to be in position to launch planes quicker, not sure on if they get more, though definitely tend have less of a break between sorties which can be a royal pain in the ass for managing something like a Stuka. The AI ALWAYS seem to have its disposal, on a moments notice a sortie of attack planes, waiting to feast on your air assets.

[acur1231]

The only way to use them is to buy a ton in C. Recon stuka, two cards of 9 Stuka bombers. Swamp the AA and use friendly fighters to target enemy fighters. You do need to specialise your deck for this tactic though.

[IceWord]

Obsolete or not,they aren't even close to their performance IRL when their are zero AA or CAP but still asking tons of points.