Steel Panthers-Tank Formations and Movement

Article written by Weasel [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:13 pm]  4 comments
Tank Formations The following article details armoured formations on the troop level. These formations are taken from when I was a tank driver, and to the best of my knowledge are still relevant. Each formation is shown below along with a description and pertinent strengths and weaknesses. A squadron is made up of 18 tanks, broken down as follows: 4 troops composed of the troop commander, troop second in command (2i/c), a bravo and charlie call sign. The squadron HQ is made up of the squadron ... Read More

Steel Panthers-Historical Set Up Limits

Article written by Templar [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:11 pm]
Steel Panthers Historical Set Up GuidelinesIntroduction: For every player of Steel Panthers there is a different opinion on what’s fair, what’ realistic, what’s assumed, what’s required, what’s cheating, and what’s just plain bullshit. A friend of mine is fond of saying, “Put two Grognards in a room and you’ll get three opinions.” These differing opinions frequently lead to misunderstanding in the establishment of SP games that can turn a lei... Read More

Steel Panthers-Soviet Light Independant Brigades

Article written by Club Shadow Player [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:07 pm]
BackgroundFrom the start of hostilities on 22 June 1941, the Red Army had undergone stark changes in its composition and its look. For example, so many senior commanders were murdered by the communists in the 1930s, that when the Germans invaded, the Red Army found it did not have enough competent corps commanders to continue with the organization, and the corps structure containing divisions was scrapped for the time being. Corps were eventually resurrected in 1943 in some armies but never beca... Read More

Steel Panthers-SEAD - Suppression of Enemy Air Defense

Article written by Ma Duece [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:06 pm]
Have you ever targeted a particular enemy unit for an air strike, only to see the aircraft come under fire from anti-aircraft guns or surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and either miss the intended target, get shot down, or make the attack only to be damaged and made unavailable for additional strikes?Just as players should fight with a mix of supporting arms (i.e. artillery, fixed-wing close air support and rotary-wing air support), they should also protect their high-value units (artillery, tanks,... Read More

Steel Panthers-Rallying and Leaders

Article written by Mark 1 [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:05 pm]
The more leaders that are involved in the rallying of a unit, the greater the chance that unit will be ready to fight in the upcoming turn. Based on this, it cannot be stressed enough that your platoon be kept within the three hexes necessary for senior leaders to exercise their control.Platoons that have only one unit (the “0” unit) probably contain a senior officer (check the rank by looking at the unit details screen). Ensure that you make use of these senior leaders. Make sure yo... Read More

Steel Panthers-Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Armor Facing in SPWAW/H2H

Article written by Mark 1 [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:04 pm]
FacingsI was always a detail guy. When playing tactical wargames, I liked nothing better than to adjust my pieces so that, not only were they tactically positioned, but they were aesthetically placed as well. I was always concerned with the “facing” of a piece. When I started playing Steel Panthers it bothered me somewhat that I couldn’t give my turreted vehicles the turret facings I wanted. I have since learned to mitigate this somewhat.World at War (SPWAW) has done such a fin... Read More

Steel Panthers-How to fight like the Russians

Article written by Weasel [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:03 pm]
Soviet tactics have remained basically the same since WW2. The Russians still base their tactics on numbers enmasse. The following articles will detail Russian composition and tactics in various situations.Russian Composition On The AdvanceThe recce elements of the Russian army will normally operate, in WAW game terms, 750 to 1500 meters ahead of the main body. The composition of the ADVANCE GUARD will normally consist of recce apc’s, tanks, engineers, and supporting scouts. The ratio of a... Read More

Steel Panthers-Engineers

Article written by Mark 1 [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:02 pm]
My friend, Lawrence Boehm, was responsible for introducing me to the Engineers many years ago, while playing tactical war games with cardboard chits. He would rave and rail on about how they were the personification of the perfect unit. He would build his entire force on them if he was allowed. Divisions of engineers if he could get them.I used to, in my contraire manner, refuse to take any. I vowed that I would beat him without the use of his touted supermen. Eventually I too succumbed and am n... Read More

Steel Panthers-Command Control

Article written by Mark 1 [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:01 pm]
The onset of the computer brought the ability to ignore the bookkeeping and chart checking that made certain aspects of this style game somewhat ungovernable. This ability to handle bookkeeping made the advent of Command Control a feasible feature, and in my opinion the greatest advance in small unit tactical wargaming since hidden units.Command Control creates a far more diverse range of tactical players on the board. Each army now has a more distinct feel. Each platoon now has more individuali... Read More

Steel Panthers-Aircraft Deep Strike Missions in WW II Scenarios

Article written by V-Man [Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:00 pm]
Many players find enemy artillery annoying at best. When it isn't off map, it's downright frustrating and can often make the difference between winning and losing. I personally despise the Italian's 15 inch naval guns. Not only can I not destroy them, but they are always bought in large numbers. But with *on-map* artillery, there is a means of suppressing that I have found very useful. In the game, driving deep, well past the FEBA, even while much of it is still held, is a good way to shake enem... Read More

Steel Panthers-Ad-Hoc Company creation for MBT/WW2

Article written by Greybeard [Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:58 pm]  One comment
Ad-hoc Companies in WW2/MBT There is a function found in the WW2/MBT games that allow users to create ad-hoc companies. But first we should perhaps explore what an ad-hoc company is. Quickly defined, an ad-hoc company consists of un-related platoons/section formed under a Company Command structure, usually for a special purpose. A very good example is the German ‘Fire Brigade’ of ww2 fame. Or the USA Independent Antitank platoons that were attached as needed to support infantry, or a... Read More