Re: Is AT kit really worth it?

**Terminal Boy** · 05-01-2007, 05:17 AM

While the L-AT is much better utilised in other roles rather than taking on tanks, if your squad has an enemy tank rolling in and you don't have any CAS or a Combat Engineer to help, it is worth trying a track or engine cover hit as the tank commander might think you're packing H-AT and decide to back off..

**Sabre_Tooth_Tigger** · 05-01-2007, 05:33 AM

LAT is really hard to control, aiming for the tracks at any safe distance is a tall order.
Its basically a bazooka in my mind so I figure its fair enough thats its mostly no good but on the other hand you cant complain if people use it diversely.

Originally Posted by fuzzhead

- Destroying low flying choppers while hovering (1 hit)

Depends where you hit it. You wont immediately down it in one. Happens all the time on basrah, it'll definetly mess up the handling but not so much they crash.
However I hit one on the tail rotor on basrah earlier and it was smoking and flew off, then I hear a crash bang and they had died. Im not sure if their engine failed as it does sometimes with damage but I think you have to say 2 hits for a kill otherwise its just very bad damage

Obviously Im refering to a cobra which does have armour I believe. The littlebird can be downed with just about anything

**Terminal Boy** · 05-01-2007, 07:42 AM

A L-AT hit on a transport helo certainly changes a sensible pilot's mind about staying in the area.

**Ferris Bueller** · 05-01-2007, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Terminal Boy

A L-AT hit on a transport helo certainly changes a sensible pilot's mind about staying in the area.

Seriously. LAT vs helos= BAD JUJU for pilots. This is how you defend E/W Beach on JAB as MEC.

**Bamboo** · 05-01-2007, 08:51 AM

Like Santa said, engi. is the way to go. A couple of time the past few nights I have killed 2 tanks at the same time becuse they were so close together.
I was actually working a tank over with Santa last night on Steel Thunder, but Santa got the kill

What also works well is if you only have 1 mine left, put it on one side of the tank on the ground, run around to the other side and put the C4, and when you blow it, it will push it over the mine.
I hate tanks

**IOOB_583** · 05-01-2007, 09:07 AM

Bamboo is correct on the strategy. It does mean exposure to a close range scare but it works quite well. The other option to running around the tank is if they have pulled themselves into a "1 way retreat" by which they will automatically have to back up. putting the mine behind them and c4ing just about any part of the tank will cause the same situation.

Most guys just don't wanna get that close, and for some good reasons, as you are right next to a big honkin target. Any AT hits from your own team and your toast, if a supporting tank or vehicle spots you then you are exposed to a hosing from their machine guns, and if they have an engineer laying next to them wrenching away you may get a prone surprise as you stand there with your c4 trying to place it.

I must agree however that the engi is far better and a more guaranteed kill. Other than that 4 guys on rockets shooting in short order should make him back waaaaaaaaaaaay off that pos if he is far away.

**Root** · 05-01-2007, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Santa

Aside from the H-AT kit, ive found that the combat engineer is the best way to down a tank. Find a parked tank, sneak up on it (easy to do with their minimal LOS), and put a mine in front and in back. As soon as it moves or fires its main shell, its gone.

This is Jeepo's primary role in my squad on any map with tanks. It's incredibly effective. I always designate a rifleman to be his fire-buddy thus avoiding any resupply problems.

**[sbf]Joeboo** · 05-01-2007, 05:23 PM

The L-AT kit is extremely useful in my exp. as a SM & SL. Not only can it be utilized for Light (thus the L) armoured/soft skinned targets such as Vodniks, HMVV's, and aircraft (an L-AT round on the nose of an strafing A-10 (I'm looking at you Al-Basrah) can deaden the pilots stick to the point that the pilot can't pull out of the dive, thus b00m! This is assuming the pilot even survives the shot. L-AT's are EXTREMELY effective as long range direct fire artillery.

I recall a thread debating the merit(s) of an 'artillery' squad employing 203's. Where the 203 is an indirect fire weapon (lobbing your shot in), the L-AT has incredible range with decent accuracy. This is perfect for taking out RP's, and snipers at long range, as well as suppressing static defenses (e.g. machine guns, or AT).

One thing (maybe I missed it), I haven't seen mentioned is the diversionary potential or the L-AT, specifically its contrail. Squad pinned down by a tank at long range, and you and your mates have quite a bit of hoofing to do to get to significant cover? lay smoke between you, and the threat obscuring it's view and task the L-AT with moving opposite of your axis of advance to place a shot opposite of the vehicles current facing and LOS. Translation: Pop Smoke; Squad run like hell left...AT go right, and shoot that tank in the ass so he's looking for you, and not us. 1 man dead is better than 5 or 6.

How about setting up an ambush, and using the your AT SM as a signal beacon? Imagine, the face of a clock laying flat underneath your hands....OPFOR is coming from 12 o' clock. Your squad is setup at 9 o' clock (aiming at 4 o' clock) & 3 o'clock (aiming at 8 o' clock to establish crossfire), save your AT SM who is at 6 o'clock. AT SM fires straight up into the air...and wahlah, like flies on **** OPFOR investigates the source of the contrail....and b00m, you spring your trap. I've found this especially effective on jungle maps....particularly when trying to track down well hidden RP's, as you can more accurately deduce its location.

If nothing else straddle the damn thing thrust your pelvis, and pump your fists everytime you fire, just for the thrill of it.

TY that is all.

**ednos** · 05-01-2007, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by [sbf]Joeboo

1 man dead is better than 5 or 6.

That's not a realistic tactic. The military values the lives of its soldiers.

**mingmong** · 05-01-2007, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sabre_Tooth_Tigger

LAT is really hard to control, aiming for the tracks at any safe distance is a tall order.
Its basically a bazooka in my mind so I figure its fair enough thats its mostly no good but on the other hand you cant complain if people use it diversely.

Depends where you hit it. You wont immediately down it in one. Happens all the time on basrah, it'll definetly mess up the handling but not so much they crash.
However I hit one on the tail rotor on basrah earlier and it was smoking and flew off, then I hear a crash bang and they had died. Im not sure if their engine failed as it does sometimes with damage but I think you have to say 2 hits for a kill otherwise its just very bad damage

Obviously Im refering to a cobra which does have armour I believe. The littlebird can be downed with just about anything

Tail rotor damage is represented ingame, you will occasionally go into uncontrollable spins if you push the stick too far when you've taken damage to the tail.

**[sbf]Joeboo** · 05-01-2007, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by ednos

That's not a realistic tactic. The military values the lives of its soldiers.

That is exactly true. While morbid, my statement "1 man dead is better than 5 or 6", is none the less true, particularly in the context I mentioned it. Realistically, if you are pinned in open terrian by a heavily armed/armoured, long range weapon system it is statisically more likely that you are all gonna die, than it is, that none of you will.

I know Loss leader tactics aren't prescribed doctrine, but diversion is, and that is essentially all I was getting at. Splitting the squad doesn't mean the AT SM WILL die....its highly likely, but I'm not suggesting you abondon them if you are able to save them.

TY that is all.

**ednos** · 05-01-2007, 06:24 PM

I'm saying that a squad leader should never and will never send his troops into certain death.

**[sbf]Joeboo** · 05-01-2007, 06:34 PM

I understand your point and concur.

TY that is all

**IOOB_583** · 05-01-2007, 07:47 PM

I prefer to do the certain dying when I am SL. Intel is needed and, to me, I am expendable. I usually lead in any attack unless I am reasonably sure it is currently undefended and when running across terrain I do the same. Leaving my guys to D a position or mop up an attack, the ralley not to far off, and that works pretty good.

I was actually able to move around the backside of ruin today with my squad D'ing the gas station and spawning on or around me as they died. We got a ralley North of the ruin, in the city proper, and took the flag away prior to the mecs getting the gas station. Unfortunately the rest of the team then went and did the same thing without going to gas station after we grayed ruin. Thereby forfeiting the advantage of splitting their forces.

**Switch** · 05-01-2007, 07:50 PM

I had a great time with 4 AT and a rifleman in my sqd once.

We hid in the brush on the side of a road, counted down and fired 4 in unison... i'm fairly certain the crewmen in the tank shat himself. Taking one L AT pisses you off. Taking 4 in a span of 1 second is another story entirely.

That said, it will no longer be possible with limited AT kits -- fun while it lasted.

Also, i agree about the engi, more effective against tanks, just requires some sneakery. Steel thunder is great as an engy. Last time i played it I had a sqd of 4. 3 engis and 1 L AT. We maintained a mine field of 24 mines and set up c4 as well. It was devistating. Enemies eventually completely rerouted tank manuevers to stay far far away from us. -- then we moved

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