Tank Formations and Tactics

[HBrutusH]

(pictures coming soon, when I can post them)

FORMATIONS

[c]=suggested location of command tank, the command tank being the vehicle piloted by the squad leader. OR the transport vehicle being escorted by the two others.
[]=tank

LINE ABREAST
Line Abreast

_[]_[c]_[]_

This formation involves the squadron Command tank setting the line of march while the other two tanks accompany it to either side. All the guns can fire forward and the flanks of the Command tank are covered. The weaknesses are that changes in direction from the Command tank leave little time for the other tanks to adjust and the formation is very weak if engaged in the flank where only one tank can bring its weapons to bear.

SPEARHEAD
Spearhead

__[c]__
_[]__[]_


Intended for a general advance, this formation is superior to a standard line abreast as the Command tank's flanks are still partially covered. However, now its machine gun has a much wider firing arc. Two tanks can direct their fire to either flank ensuring the formation is stronger against flank attacks. Any enemy infantry assaulting the squadron leader's tank can expect to be engaged by the machine guns of the supporting tanks following up behind.

ECHELON
Echelon

_]_
__[c]_
____[]__

Particularly useful when moving around an enemy strongpoint, the echelon allows all weapons to be brought to bear in either direction. A simple turn left or right forms a new echelon advancing in a different direction. The flanks of the lead two tanks are partially protected but only from one side and the rear tank can be left vulnerable to an attack from the rear. Each tank can offer supporting fire against any assaults to the tank in front.

COLUMN
Column

_[]_
_[c]
_[]_

Column is primarily used for moving along roads or between areas of difficult terrain. It leaves the tanks very vulnerable to flanking fire and limits forward firepower quite drastically. Generally this formation is only used when it is the only formation that fits the circumstances, being especially useful for protecting Command tanks from heavy fire. When moving up on an enemy position it ensures that only the lead tank can be engaged guaranteeing that the supporting tanks can move out and engage when space allows.

these tactics definately work with the EU treaded tank, but with the pac tank, they may have to be altered slightly as they must turn to face their target and still travel in the same direction, meaning that (if you have a good pilot) the flanks are never exposed.

They may also need to be adapted for larger squadrons

Feel free to add to these, tactics coming soon

[Exploding_Silver]

I like this easy to call out the formation in one word, good for movement

I would suggest the best during combat is

SPEARHEAD
__[]__
_[C]__[]_

but amended with commander (SL) in rear tank, so they can stay alive longer (the lead tank attracts the fire)

The main reason for spearhead is the advanced repair tool, in this formation you get the benefit of double repair from being neclose enough to two tanks. Also if the tanks form a triangle then the gunner can get out and repair in some safety.

another possiblity is
__[W]__
_[T]_[T]_

W=walker
T=Tank

PS
I reckon the new map will be tanks/walkers engage and distract, jeep rushes around back with SL and infantry cap the flag

[Ainselie]

HBrutusH, this is a great thread - I was waiting for someone to bring up formations up

John CANavar did a very *great* writeup that is related to this topic, however relating with infantry formations:

1stMIP SOPs / Formations Revisited
http://www.tacticalgamer.com/battlef...revisited.html

[NecktieRemedy]

Originally Posted by Exploding_Silver

another possiblity is
__[W]__
_[T]_[T]_

W=walker
T=Tank

PS
I reckon the new map will be tanks/walkers engage and distract, jeep rushes around back with SL and infantry cap the flag

Won't the tanks overtake the walker? Or will you just keep slowing down?

[Tarenth]

I don't remember any maps off the top of my head with more than two tanks per side actually. If you're going for 2 tanks and an APC then you'd want to run a column with the APC holding the rear or a reverse spearhead with the two tanks up front and the APC, again, to the rear.

Multiple reasons really. As a front line vehicle the APC is rather lacking due to the weaker front armor, however its extra height means it can fire its EMP grenade and mortars over the tanks in front. Then you have the fact that a 'butt shot' on an APC is a lot more difficult at a significant range than at a tank and it does not result in an autokill either which makes it a principle rear guard vehicle. Add to that the fact that the APC gives an auto heal/repair/resupply bonus to range and speed and you could stack multiple engineers in the gun turrets to give your front line vehicles constant repair from multiple engineers at a good distance while still providing anti-infantry support.

Line: Bad idea all around. You leave you command APC exposed up front and limit your rear protection to the flanking tanks. As a result you have 3 big butts hanging out waiting to get slammed by AV engineers.

Spearhead: Impractical with an APC and does not take advantage of the APC benefits.

*Reverse Spearhead:
[T]..[T]
...[C]...

The offensive benefits of the line formation with the coverage of the spearhead. If attacked from the flank the APC can disable with an EMP and the front tanks can stagger in order to provide a larger field of fire to engage.

Echelon: A staggered line is less like an actual movement/engagement formation and more like a response formation from an attack. If you used a line and staggered to engage a flanking attack then the tanks would fall into an echelon automatically. The problem with moving in an echelon is simply that it combines the problems of a line (butts hanging in the open) without the initial benefit (focused firepower). Also the front vehicles will limit the field of fire on the opposite side of the echelon requireing the tanks to reform into a line and then a reversed echelon to engage properly.

Column (revised):
[T]
[T]
[C]

Depending on how close the formation is the APC in the rear should be able to provide ammo and repair support to the vanguard tank. A column is to the spearhead what the line is to the echelon. If the first tank moves forward and to the left while the second tank moves forward and to the right then the APC can move forward and you will have formed a reverse spearhead. The weakness of such a formation, however, is that if you take out the 2nd tank then you seperate the APC and 1st tank and if you take out the 1st tank you cause a delay as the column has to divert around the wreckage. The benefit of traveling in such a grouping is that the butts of the tanks are very much under cover from the vehicles behind them.

If you're talking walker then the problems with putting an APC up front apply double to the walker. Both the APC and walker are TALL so they will severly restrict the field of fire of vehicles behind them. However because they are so tall they can easily fire shots over tanks in front of them. In the case of the walker the best formation may actually be the line formation or, again, the reverse spearhead.

[T]..[T]..[W]

With the line the walker can peel off to the side in order to use its superior manuverability to try and flank the enemy. Alternatively the walker can shield and move in front of an injured allied tank to provide cover until the tank can be repaired. The top armor of a walker is actually a tad stronger than the front armor of a tank so if the walker crouches in front of the tank it will provide ideal cover. While tanks can sit in a line and gunsnipe at each other the walker's rockets are rather ineffective at longer range making manuverability of primary importance to its position.


[T]..[T]
...[W]...

If you're in close quarters you lose the walker's ability to quickly shield an injured tank, but you gain the superior anti-infantry/vehicle ability of its guns over the tanks in front. This formation will also provide good cover for the tanks since the walker can easily spin and provide AV/AI support to the rear until the tanks can be turned.

Originally Posted by NecktieRemedy

Won't the tanks overtake the walker? Or will you just keep slowing down?

I believe walkers are faster than tanks if you are sprinting. They are only slightly slower if walking.

[HBrutusH]

Good Ideas Tarenth, but for some reason I can't edit my original post O.o
ah well, keep 'em coming.

[NecktieRemedy]

I always thought the walkers were slower, I guess I was thinking about walkers vs hover tanks.

[HBrutusH]

they are when they're walking, but they can sprint for as long as you need.

[Uranium - 235]

FENDER BLENDER

.o....o..x..
..x.[H].....
...x....o.x.

o = living teammates trying to use my tank as cover
x = dead teammates who already tried to use my tank as cover
[H] = me in a hover tank

This formation is generally used against my will and at exactly the same moment that I'm sliding wildly out of control or have already started moving in any direction at any speed whatsoever.

[Concr3te]

Originally Posted by Tarenth

I don't remember any maps off the top of my head with more than two tanks per side actually.

Well maybe this tactics will proof themself really useful with the release of the Highway Tampa map! (what is it, 5 tanks per side?)

[Kaavok]

now what I would like to see is some of these formations put in action. Perhaps on maps that have multiple tanks and an APC we could set up a squad labeled "Armored Cavalry" that is geared to doing just this, keeping together, killing the enemy, and staying alive

[HBrutusH]

from what I've played, highway tampa can be waaay more than 5 tanks per side

when you start (eu at least) you have 3 tanks, 2 FAVs, a transport, a gunship, and an APC. and each flag you net will give you a mix of walkers, tanks, and FAV's. Although none gave me more aircraft or APC's

(don't quote me on that)

and it doesn't HAVE to be large scale tank battles, simply sticking your vehicles into convoys can help, since you can all repair eachother (if you have the engineer upgrades, and can overwhelm the lone engineer (usually)

[SC*Lucky13th]

Hello i am new. Come from aUT99 clan but battlefield 2142 caught my eye.
I have been playing the demo for the past month and will get the full game now and recomend it to my clan.

I love Tanks. I love the idea of tank formations.

The tactics presented here seem to confirm most of what i have endured so far.

Bullets bounce of my hull and only walkers, gunships , groups of rpg's or a skilled enemy tank will scare me off.

I do squad up alot now but thankfully the comanders allow me some scope to support assaults instead of giving me suicidal orders to put my tank into built up areas.

I like to keep my front armour facing threats...im not sure if the game cares about this but in real life the best armour is in the front and most tanks are weak at the rear.

For this reason its good to choose good firing posistions and you must know that should a sprinting walker appear to the front ; that you can get one shot off and reverse into dead ground to avoid the hail of rapid shelling before popping up with a shield on to shoot again. Then you must run.... hide... repair and then re engage until walker is dead.
Against canny walker pilots even this tactic can be overcome but it gives you a fighting chance otherwise.

Tanks have a lower profile then walkers...this is very importent when choosing your spot.
You can hit walkers and they cant see you OR their cannons cant aim down enough to hit you while your battle cannon has nice vertical elevation.

I fear death from the sky. I can kill transport ships with my cannon but the gunship is a nightmare....

a question :

Can my shield protect me against kamakazi pilots?

If my clan gets into this i will form a Armoured Squadron and we will try to perfect the use of the Tank. Im not here to recruit btw so stand easy

I prefer the Tiger.

Thanks for reading , i hope it was not all too much waffle ...i realy like this game

one more thing... allways try your best to get a machine gunner into your tank. You can attain 360 vision this way.

Oh yes... and if someone joins you in your tank and you take a nasty hit dont reverse right away... in case your mate is behind your tank trying to repair it Check your hud fast to make sure they are still onboard with you.

[Thesleeper01]

Originally Posted by SC*Lucky13th

Tanks have a lower profile then walkers...this is very importent when choosing your spot.
You can hit walkers and they cant see you OR their cannons cant aim down enough to hit you while your battle cannon has nice vertical elevation.

I fear death from the sky. I can kill transport ships with my cannon but the gunship is a nightmare....

a question :

Can my shield protect me against kamakazi pilots?

Walker CANNON fire does not hurt armored vehicles, only there missles. Infact usualy its best not to fire your autocannons if your in a walker at another armored vehicle.

Nothing protects you from someone dropping an air vehicle on your head but surver rules.

[SC*Lucky13th]

My UT99 clan name is SC*SleeperService Hello fellow Sleeper!

I did not know the walker auto cannon was useless against my tank. Thanks. SO its just missiles? OK i can time the use of my shield better now .

Thank you :>

Shame about the dive bombing. A battle cannon shell through the cockpit window sends them on their way but when they get their angle of decent right i cant even see the darn things.