Armored Combat Primer
by 0b1one, munchkin, Strag, TG_Bubba, Turbo, Tzefanya


Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 (ROOST) is a World War II-era tactical shooter strongly rooted in elements of realism. It depicts battles between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1945, featuring support for various armored transports and tanks of the period. This document provides a quick overview of armored combat within the game as it pertains to Tactical Gamer. Topics include Basics, Organization, Communication, and Tactics & Movement. It is assumed that the reader is already familiar with the ROOST Game Manuals.


I. Basics

a. Reality
The projectiles in ROOST are based on their real life counterparts. Factors like gravity, the projectile's velocity, the distance between the shooter and the target, the thickness of the target's armor, the angle of the projectile's impact, and the type of projectile all make a difference in determining the damage a hit might cause. Keep this in mind when engaging enemies.


II. Organization

a. Tank Groups
Tanks are most effective in teams -- or groups -- of at least two. Try to organize, move, and coordinate with at least one other tank crew so that you can flank enemies, provide covering fire, and apply firepower effectively.


III. Communication

a. Local VOIP Channel
The members of a tank crew should use the Local VOIP channel to communicate with one another while operating within their tank. This allows the crew to talk as needed without cluttering the Team VOIP channel.

b. Team VOIP Channel
The Team VOIP channel should be used for communication between the various discrete tank crews spread across the battlefield, and also between the Commander and the tank crews.

Ideally, one member of a given tank crew should be assigned the task of coordinating communications with the Commander and with the other tank crews via the Team VOIP channel. This could be anyone within the tank crew, but the gunner is probably the least logical candidate since he is often busy engaging enemies or scanning for them. As such, the driver or the machinegunner (if present) would typically handle the task of relaying information from the tank crew to the rest of the team, and vice versa.


IV. Tactics & Movement

a. Tank Orientation and Positioning
When engaging an enemy tank, orient your tank so that the front left or front right corner is pointed directly at your adversary. This will improve the chances of an enemy round deflecting off of your tank, thereby increasing your chances of survival.

Also, be sure to keep the front portion of your tank pointing toward your adversary. The front is the strongest part of the tank, able to withstand the greatest punishment. The sides of the tank are weaker than the front, and the rear of the tank is weaker than the sides.

Try to find positions on the battlefield where you can protect the hull of your tank from enemy fire while allowing your turret to have unobstructed fields of fire. Parking your tank directly behind a berm, or perhaps within a shallow ditch, can provide excellent protection.

b. Situational Awareness
You can pop your head out of your vehicle (the default key is the Mouse Scroll Wheel) and look around using the mouse. This helps in maintaining situational awareness around your vehicle, but you are vulnerable to small arms fire from enemy soldiers while you're exposed.

c. Shoot & Scoot
When engaging the enemy, it is more effective if you stop your vehicle before firing, as it is very difficult for a gunner to aim accurately when the vehicle is in motion.

When engaging the enemy in the open, after you've fired a shot, move as you are reloading to make your tank a more difficult target to hit. When moving, remember that the tank's turret is slow to turn, so the driver should try to keep the target in view. This will aid the gunner so that the next shot can be lined up and fired as quickly as possible.

d. Tank Data Sheets
Learn the facts about the various tanks in ROOST by viewing their data sheets below. (Overview & Explanatory Notes)

Allied Tanks
T34-76
T34-85
IS-2
KV-1S

Axis Tanks
Tiger 1E
Panther G
Pz IV F1
Pz IV F2




Note: The Armored Combat Primer was written by Tactical Gamers for Tactical Gamers; it is the collected thoughts and advice of the various beta testers indicated in the byline. The idea is to offer tips from those who have played the game, in an attempt to get new players up to speed as quickly as possible. Feel free to add information of value. The Infantry Combat Primer will follow shortly.