what time period is the most even for US vs USSR?

runequester · #1 May 9th, 2009, 11:35 AM

Within the realms of steel panthers, what time frame do you find makes the game the most equal for American vs Soviet?

(and what time frames do you find fun even if they are unequal

)

Wdll · #2 May 9th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Equal I would say now or 2010 or so. Fun, now or in the 1960s. The soviets have an interesting advantage in armour.

Suhiir · #3 May 9th, 2009, 01:24 PM

Personal opinion...and I stress both words - personal and opinion...

Anytime between 1946 and say 1960ish or post 2010.

The introduction of the Sagger, BMP-1, T-62, and later AH-1/AH-64, Dragon ATGMs and thermal imageing make the 60s thru about 2009 one where the "advantage" swings wildly between them.

As Wdll said this period is one for very interesting battles due to those things, but if you want parity (more-or-less) its not the one I'd choose.

I'll freely admit a LOT of bias, but if you want "fun" battles try the USMC VS the Soviets in the mid-80s. Using a "real" OOB you have very little armor, fewer ATGMs, and less artillery then the US Army. But a lot of helo/air support VS the Soviet Armored Hordes. The USMC does quite well defending VS the Soviets but has a lot of difficulty attacking.

hoplitis · #4 May 9th, 2009, 02:19 PM

More or less I agree on the (mid?)60s era.
For the present day there is a question though.
The Russians have the tech BUT do they actually "field" all those modern weapon systems/platforms in adequate numbers?

runequester · #5 May 9th, 2009, 02:23 PM

In Georgia they mostly used some T80 and up-armoured T72.

hoplitis · #6 May 9th, 2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runequester

In Georgia they mostly used some T80 and up-armoured T72.

Exactly.
Technological "balance" is only one aspect in the overall balance of forces.

Wdll · #7 May 9th, 2009, 03:09 PM

That goes for the rest of the game. It is up to the player what he/she will buy. If there was going to be a war, do you doubt that Russia would increase production of its better equipment? I don't.

hoplitis · #8 May 9th, 2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wdll

That goes for the rest of the game. It is up to the player what he/she will buy. If there was going to be a war, do you doubt that Russia would increase production of its better equipment? I don't.

Depends on the war you "expect".
Did the "Caucasus Conflicts" speed up the introduction of already developed systems in the russian army?
Can your economy put up with the costs underlying a rapid modernization of your armed forces? And so on ...
Not an easy question indeed.

Imp · #9 May 9th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Depends on your army & what you are likely to run into.
Georgia rather than using front line units probably used what was near by & cheap to maintain logistically,why pull T-90s & the like if its not warranted.
The West errs more on the side of big guns & saving lives possibly but even we only took the best ammo just in case & used the cheap stuff, well for the tanks anyway.
The airforce got to burn a nice hole in the economy.

Wdll · #10 May 9th, 2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoplitis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wdll

That goes for the rest of the game. It is up to the player what he/she will buy. If there was going to be a war, do you doubt that Russia would increase production of its better equipment? I don't.

Depends on the war you "expect".
Did the "Caucasus Conflicts" speed up the introduction of already developed systems in the russian army?
Can your economy put up with the costs underlying a rapid modernization of your armed forces? And so on ...
Not an easy question indeed.

Russia was not under threat by the Georgians. I am talking about a major war (for them).