Halftracks - Mechanized Warfare WW2 - A&A RTS

AXIS and ALLIES RTS | Mechanized Warfare in WW2

Halftracks
The static trench warfare battles of WWI were over, and with the emergence of the tank, maneuver warfare had returned to the battlefield. Commanders once again needed a "cavalry", and the halftrack was a perfect fit. Infantry and supplies had to keep up with the advancing armor, and the halftrack was adapted and reconfigured to perform a variety of tasks.

^{M3A1 Halftrack}

The true "halftrack" had tracks like like a tank in the back, and standard tires in the front; although some versions had four tires for use in areas with better roads. One characteristic all halftracks shared in common, they were easy to drive. This usually required no special training, so if you could drive a truck, you could drive a halftrack.

^{Type1 Ho-Ki Halftrack}

The tactics in which war was fought evolved so quickly during WWII, not all countries had halftracks suitable for the job. Russia and Great Britian had many M3A1 halftracks provided by lend lease, and Japan was obviously behind the times. Looks like they robbed that thing from a construction site.

^SdKfz-251-9

Mechanized Artillery
Mobility was now important for every implement of warfare, with artillery being no exception. Artillery pieces were initially towed, then eventually mounted to the vehicles themselves.

^{M4A1 Sherman}

Mechanized Anti-Tank
Specialized tank killer regiments featured a new type of tank, the tank destroyer. Tank destroyers were equipted with extra firepower, and either were designed to be lightly armored and mobile, or heavily armored and slow. Many designs lacked a turret, like the famous Jagdpanther. Due to their limitations, the tank destroyer worked best in coordination with mechanized units, usually attacking by flanking maneuver or prepared ambush.

^{Katyusha Rocket Truck}

Katyusha Rocket Truck
While less accurate than conventional artillery, the Katyusha was very effective in saturation bombardment, and like the German V weapon was a "fear weapon" that had strong psychological effects on enemy troops. Katyusha launchers were often massed in very large numbers, in what could be classified as an early form of "shock and awe".

^SdKfz-250

Anti-Air Halftracks
The nature of aerial combat had evolved as well, and with the improvement in accuracy of bombers, mechanized armies now needed mobile protection. Mechanized anti-air was a quick way to get light AA protection.

In Axis and Allies RTS ~ BASIC TIPS for MECHANIZED WARFARE
When it comes to Axis and Allies mechanized combat, most often it's Anti-Tank Mech, occassionally Arty Mech, sometimes Rocket Trucks, and for the brave, Tankettes.

the AT halftrack regiment is power! seen in every game that makes it past the infantry stage

the artillery mech regiment is good vs infantry spam, but is weak vs special op bombs

the katyusha regiment can be a decent counter for infantry if you haven't researched snipers

the AA halftrack regiment counts against your regiment cap of 20, for emergency use only

the halftrack regiment is only recommended in 1v1 battles as a counter for infantry

Mechanized Artillery
The Artillery Halftrack Regiment is a good counter for all types of infantry, and is good at indirect engagements, by bombarding the enemy for a distance. The Artillery Halftrack Regiment is NOT good at directly engaging AT Mech and Armor, or surviving "getting bombed".

$200.

Tank Destroyers = Armored Power
The most powerful mechanized regiment is AT-Mech, and mostly because of the tank destroyer unit. The three strongest tank destroyers all have the Gyrostabilized Tank Guns upgrade, with the German Jagdpanther being arguably the strongest due to it's 100 attack value. Others might say it's the Russian SU-85, with it's higher health and defense value, that is the strongest. Either way, the US M18 Hellcat comes in a close, and respectable third.

Beware of Forest, Jungle, and City Terrain
Whenever possible, stay in open terrain with your mech, as Forest, Jungle, and City Terrain penalize all vehicles; both in attack and defense values. When playing on maps with alot of forest or jungle, allow extra time for all troop movements, especially retreating!!!

Important Upgrades
Upgrades will vary depending on country and regiment(s) deployed, but if available, get these must-have upgrades: Mechanical Reliability, Improved Machine Guns, and if making more than 6 regiments Mechanized Production. If making 12+ regiments of AT Mech, you might consider some armor upgrades such as Gyrostabilized Tank Guns, Diesel Engines, and more.... For the full story see our Guide to Guide to Upgrading Anti-Tank Mech and Guide to Upgrading Arty Mech

AXIS and ALLIES RTS | Mechanized Strategy | by Country

Great Britian: Mechanized HQ

While better versus infantry than the Russian AT-Mech regiment, British AT-Mech regiment as a whole is fairly weak due to poor tank destroyers. In head-to-head battles, British AT-Mech will be at a disadvantage versus every country except Japan. Missing the important Gyrostabilized Tank Guns upgrade which will continue to be a problem for Britian in the mid to late game.

Not seen all that often due to the strength of SaS infantry (don't need to counter infantry with arty mech), they are actually the second strongest in the game. One of the best halftrack units, the second best artillery halftrack unit, all the best upgrades, and special ops such as fighting spirit...

Statistically tied with the USA halftrack, although the strongest special op available to Britian for halftracks is fighting spirit (not nearly as strong as mechanized advance).

It's not often that you need to deploy more than 8 mech with Great Britian (SaS)

The 10% health advantage gives a noticeable boost to the performance of all vehicles.

Improved MG's will help your halftracks and HQ's, especially vs infantry.

Germany: Mechanized HQ

The Jagdpanther and it's 88mm Gun inflict a punishing 100 attack value when fully upgraded, making it the best Tank Destroyer in the game hands down. Good available upgrades, only missing Mechanical Reliability, but Germany also has a couple of unique upgrades, Advanced Armor Training and Schurzen which help make up for this. Decent halftracks that possess the important Improved Machine Guns upgrade.

Not seen all that often due to the strength of their AT-Mech, but is still a serviceable regiment; the arty mech unit is missing Long Range Artillery, but at least has Improved Fire Control.

German halftracks are only missing mechanical reliability, but aside from that can compete with those of Great Britian and the United States.

Germany has a whole host of armored upgrades, it really just depends how much AT-Mech you are making; to decide whether they are worth it at the mech stage of the game. If you are making more tha 8 regiments you might consider some of the upgrades available from the Arty Brigade. Improved MG's is an easy way to help your halftracks, especially vs infantry.

Japan: Mechanized HQ

Considering the weakness of the Japanese AT-Mech regiment, you might consider going for a strength of Japan, infantry. Japanese Mortars and Heavy Airborne will do well versus AT-Mech if they stick to good terrain such as cities and forests. Back them with Arty Mech, and make sure not bunch too many units together to avoid being bombed. Versus no bombs, some Japanese AT-Mech spam attacks have been successful, using mechanized production and Mikawa's rapid deployment. Newer players might avoid this regiment altogether.

Sometimes this is Japan's only option during the mech stage, just keep in mind the Japanese Artillery Halftrack unit has the lowest defense value and also is missing Improved Fire Control. At least it has Long Range Artillery...

Japanese halftracks have the lowest defense value and second lowest attack value, leaving them with the weakest halftracks in the game. Also missing the important improved machine guns upgrade.

Japan has weak mechanized units, which means you may catch them by surprise if you go with an at-mech spam attack. -->

Add Mikawa's rapid deployment to enhance your spamming experience, and deploy the cheapest at-mech in the game.

Russia: Mechanized HQ

The Russia AT-Mech regiment is underrated, largely due to weak halftrack units that lack the Improved Machine Guns upgrade. However, Russia has one of the finest tank destroyer units in A&A, with higher health and defense value than any other country.

Rocket trucks aren't seen that often for a variety of reasons. The need for an additional upgrade, and the lack of mechanized production are two main factors. Although the cheaper cost of $125 per regiment helps this a bit. Usually deployed when you haven't researched snipers and need a counter for sniper based infantry such as SaS.

Russian halftracks have the lowest attack value, but at least have the mechanical reliability upgrade. Also missing the important improved machine guns upgrade.

The 10% health advantage gives a noticeable boost to the performance of all vehicles.

Got Chuikov? Requisition parts to temporarily increase the health of your vehicles

Got Rokossovski? Requisition equipment to temporarily reduce deployment costs

United States: Mechanized HQ

The best halftracks and good tank destroyers makes the USA AT-Mech regiment a force to be dealt with.

Although you rarely see USA Arty Mech, probably due to the strength of USA AT Mech, they are actually the strongest in the game. The best halftrack unit, the best artillery halftrack unit, all the best upgrades

USA has all the best halftrack upgrades, and the special op mechanized advance gives them the slight edge over Britian for the best halftracks in the game.

Temporarily increases speed, attack and defense values for all targeted halftracks. Mechanized Advance often helps USA to dominate the mech stage of the game, as enemy forces will usually retreat when facing "meched up" AT-Mech.

With a great economy and all the right upgrades, it's no wonder you see at-mech spam so often from the USA.

Got Nimitz? Requisition parts to temporarily increase the health of your vehicles

The 10% health advantage gives a noticeable boost to the performance of all vehicles.

Improved MG's will help your halftracks and HQ's, especially vs infantry.

MECHANIZED HQ - That concludes the basics of Mechanized Warfare in Axis and Allies RTS. Like our story? Digg it! Have a correction, addition, question? You can contribute to our A&A wiki, post in the official forum thread..