Close Combat Units

[rugar85]

I was wondering if you guys could give me some tips on how to use close combat units such as sturmpioneers and strosstrupps. I mainly play Axis due to their PanzerGrens having superior firepower and range with their MG42 with good range and HE value, but I realize that they aren't really suited for close combat such as urban areas and forests where they get eaten up pretty quickly. In my mind, that's where units such as the Stosstrupps and Flamethrower units come in.

My problem however is that they usually get eaten up before they even get a chance to get within range to use their main asset weapon. With flamethrowers, they get shot up before they even get in range or they stop advancing because they're firing with their secondary weapon. Am I supposed to deactivate their secondary weapon in order for them to get into range for their flamethrowers or is there something I'm missing? How should I close in on the other units before they are already annihilated from like 250meters?

For my second question, how do I storm buildings? When I right click a building, they merely get to the range of their weapon and then stop moving. Do I need to move them manually right next to the building and then right click on the building again? Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[Mister Maf]

The easiest place to use these units is in unbroken forest, where they're free to advance under cover.

Some of them, like Stosstrupp, have smoke grenades which you must use to cover their advance over open ground until they get into range. For units lacking smoke grenades, you must either provide smoke cover with your artillery, or have fire support that forces enemies into the second line of buildings so that your infantry can advance safely. If you must attack-move, turn off weapons that have a longer range than their flamethrower; otherwise just give them a move order to cover and give them cover smoke/fire to protect their advance. It's usually a good idea to mix them together with line infantry to soak fire and provide ranged support.

Also, it can be worth in some situations — especially urban defense — to put Stosstrupp-type units on return fire so that they don't reveal themselves until the enemy is too deep inside their kill range to escape.

 

[darkfireslide]

In short:
1. Turn off all weapons except the close assault ones. It's annoying to micro, but that's how you use the unit.
2. Use smoke. Smoke lets you close the distance safely.
3. Soften the enemy with artillery first to lower accuracy. Mortars are great for urban environments thanks to their precision.
4. Consider the route you're taking and whether or not you'll be able to close to 100m, and if not, then ask why you're using flamethrowers and Stosstrupps in the first place.

These are general rules for attacking, but especially important for conquering close-quarters situations. Cheers.

 

[Protosszocker]

1. Hold units for cqc in areas where the enemy has to engage them in cqc (small houseblocks or in the middle of woods)
2. if you wanna engage with them smoke the way for them with mortars (small 40 p mortars are the most cost effiecent for the job)
3. Turn them on not firing till fired on mode in the lower right corner this way they dont use their few 300 m range guns (if they ahve them) to reveal their position and the enemy will most likely run into them
4. ABout the how to storm a house. usually you shouldnt. if you wanna do it be sure to click on the house and not on the unit card above it. if you click on the unit card your troops just will get into fire range to the occupying units and attack them when in range.