Tanks: Gunner picking MG to fire at T-72

[c0mmanderKeen]

I played through the first tank mission of the OA campaign without ever running into this issue, now I'm at the later one (assault the airfield etc) and I tested this in the editor as well with the same result.

I placed myself as commander of a TUSK MBT. A platoon of russian tanks is set nearby. I set "danger" and "target that tank" and my gunner begins to fire the coaxial MG at the steel monstrum. I have to either: switch to manual fire and change to sabot or change to gunner pos. and switch weapons there.

this behaviour does not change related to distance. occurs with many targets like bmps or brdms etc.

any opinions?

edit: first I had the zeus skill pbo enabled, now no AI mod or gameplay changing stuff is enabled - same result.
2nd edit: ok, I simply didnt know about ctrl+f to change gunner weapon. but still, this doesnt make much sense. shouldnt the gunner do that on his own? also now one of the enemy tanks fired back at me with his MG. which is of course really pointless.

[Takko]

Press Strg-F and you can switch the guns of the gunner as commander.

You have to order the gunner to change his weapon of course.

[c0mmanderKeen]

Press Strg-F and you can switch the guns of the gunner as commander.

You have to order the gunner to change his weapon of course.

yeah, thanks, just discovered that xD but still. when I target infantry, MG is used, when firing at armor, sabot, etc. I played the first tank mission without ever having to micro my weapons. not that it bothers me but I still think its rather odd.

another edit. just fired up ofp since thats the last time I ever commanded a tank in this series. and of course its the same. so thank you takko for reminding me of the obvious

Will try to find the weapon and armor specs of the different tanks in arma2 now. If anyone has them ready or knows where to look its appreciated (looking for cannon range, fuel, etc)

[Takko]

The best tank is the M1A2 tusk in my opinion, since it does feature thermal view, and I even managed it to hit a standing target at 1200 meters distance.
You can destroy a T72 at that distance with one shot if you're lucky.
If you're running out of ammo, shoot the HEAT rounds against enemy T34, T55 and T72s and
you will find out, that after a maximum of 2 hits at 1000 meters, the crew jumps out.

The T72 is not as good, the missing thermal image view is a big disadvantage.
Although you can adjust your sight up to 2000 meters, I've found that everything after 300 meters won't destroy a M1A1 on the first shot.

The T90 is the strongest eastern tank, with a strong cannon, long range,
good MG's and good armour.
The biggest disadvantage is the missing thermal view again but you can iron that once you see the enemy tank, since the devasting power of the cannon comes great.

T55. The name says it all. Its fairly effective against enemy MBT's such as Bradleys or especially Strykers, CDF BMP's or M113's.
You can even disable (not destroy) a M1A1 on close range but better not try it as you
will not be able to destroy it at the first shot past 50 meters (and even then its hard to) and you range is rather limited (I would say 900-1000 meters maximum)

The T34 is even worse. But you can kill an enemy LAV-25 or Stryker fairly quick with it.

[richiespeed13]

2nd edit: ok, I simply didnt know about ctrl+f to change gunner weapon. but still, this doesnt make much sense. shouldnt the gunner do that on his own? also now one of the enemy tanks fired back at me with his MG. which is of course really pointless.

This ^^

If enemy tanks are being just as retarded, what do you do now?

[Cossack8559]

If you are commanding an M1A2 << enemy tanks will normally fire their MG's because the loader cannot turn in which of course makes the enemy tanks use its MG to kill the loader.

[c0mmanderKeen]

If you are commanding an M1A2 << enemy tanks will normally fire their MG's because the loader cannot turn in which of course makes the enemy tanks use its MG to kill the loader.

I actually sort of suspected this.

Thanks guys, especially takko, for your trouble

Arma got me hooked yet again, I try to actually finish a custom mission I start now.

[Darkhorse 1-6]

Just be careful. I have personally flanked an M1A2 with a T34, and using proper cover managed to put 2 rounds up it's ass before it could react. I was amazed when the Abrams blew up.

[c0mmanderKeen]

Just be careful. I have personally flanked an M1A2 with a T34, and using proper cover managed to put 2 rounds up it's ass before it could react. I was amazed when the Abrams blew up.

...will try that right now

t-34 is my favorite tank in this game for fooling around