How Useful is 'Mechanized Tactics'?

[The Maquis]

I finally picked up some boosters for Set #2 and I now have two Panzergrenadier units. Looking at them and their 5 pt cost - I was trying to determine what about Mechanized Tactics makes this unit better than normal infantry being transported? How would one make proper use of this ability? What vehicles/infantry units would work best with Panzergrenadiers?

:confused:

[Murry]

it just makes it so they can enter a vehicle and dismount from it in the same movement phase. they would go with something like a half-track.

[crash beedo]

Right now, mechanized tactics isn't too useful, because the halftrack is so expensive. If the Germans ever get some better transport units (either something that could be considered an assault vehicle, or something like a jeep that is very cheap) then the ability could be much better.

[Field Marshall Rommel]

Right now, mechanized tactics isn't too useful, because the halftrack is so expensive. If the Germans ever get some better transport units (either something that could be considered an assault vehicle, or something like a jeep that is very cheap) then the ability could be much better.

I have to disagree. The panzergrenadiers used halftracks as their prime movers. And the Kfz 251's do have the fighting platform ability which makes them a double threat, an attack from the transported unit and an attack from the vehicle. If you start with your troops mounted, and why would you not, you get a pretty awesome assault force. Of course you probably don't want to charge those pesky tanks but against ground pounders it is effective.

[crash beedo]

I have yet to see a competitive army built around halftracks. Armor is just too prevalent in the AAM game. So unless the tournament scene changes (and people stop playing tanks), mechanized tactics won't be useful until the Germans get a jeep or an assault/armored vehicle that has transport.

[Field Marshall Rommel]

You have a point. My gaming partner and I try to mix it up a bit and try less armor intensive scenarios.

[Sniper45]

Right now, mechanized tactics isn't too useful, because the halftrack is so expensive. If the Germans ever get some better transport units (either something that could be considered an assault vehicle, or something like a jeep that is very cheap) then the ability could be much better.
I agree. I think it would be great if they made a lorry.

[komichido]

We did an early war scenario where the Germans were over running Poland. A polish force had to prevent the germans from travelling from one side of the map off the other in 7 turns. The Germans won if they killed at least half the Polish points and exited in 7 turns. The poles won if they stopped the Germans from exiting in those 7 turns and managed to retain over half the points they started with. We allowed the poles to add some french pieces to thier force to help flesh it out and the Renault they had was devastating in 1939. However the Germans used a Mechanized force and were able to pull it of, but barely. It was a fun scenario and quite different from just holding an objective or kill everything on the board type play.

Komi

[Shrapnelsmile]

Komi these types of home-grown scenarios are what make collectible miniature games great -- you make use of pieces other people call useless, and have a great time to boot.

For those of you wanting to make a bit of use out of the new Panzergrenadiers, consider the excellent house rule posted in another thread that my buddy and I use:

If agreed, For every 100 points, each player may add one half-track to their build total. It's a huge difference -- few people are going to pay for a costly german half-track when his opponent may opt for a handful of infantry instead -- a huge advantage. But when it's a given, let the panzergrenadiers mount and strike.