M777A1 vs M777A2 Excalibur

[Suhiir]

Currently the OOBs have the 155mm M777A1 FH with Accuracy = 10 and Weapon Range = 220 (230 for Rocket Assisted).

I'm curious what the collective peanut gallery thinks the Accuracy and Weapon Range should be for the M777A2 Excalibur?

[scorpio_rocks]

Am I wrong in thinking that the game statistic "accuracy" is ONLY used for direct fire, and is therefore irrelevant to the discussion?

[Imp]

Originally Posted by scorpio_rocks

Am I wrong in thinking that the game statistic "accuracy" is ONLY used for direct fire, and is therefore irrelevant to the discussion?

That sounds right to me.

[Suhiir]

Humm ...
Learn something new every day if that's indeed the case.

[scorpio_rocks]

I believe Indirect fire "accuracy" is based on experience of gun crew and observer. Perhaps a Unit equipped with high accuracy shells (excalibur, etc) need an exp boost?

[Suhiir]

Possible, but I'd be VERY hesitant to add formations for something like this since about the only way to guarantee an experience class boost would be to give it about a +20 experience modifier, and that has all sorts of unpleasant side effects with regard to unit/formation cost and quite probably with the picklists.

Fortunately the 155mm artillery is not mixed in with the 105mm/Naval Guns in the US Army OOB.

[shahadi]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

...the only way to guarantee an experience class boost would be to give it about a +20 experience modifier.

I'm not certain a designer needs to be concerned about Experience Class with respect to accuracy of indirect fires. I have found that we can boost experience by units and not affect the Experience Class. Therefore, we can modify FA gun crews and spotter units to increase accuracy of indirect fires in our scenarios by selecting the "D" key of the Deploy screen in the Editor. Additionally, the Unit Leader Data maybe modified to increase Artillery Command Rating within the Edit Unit Data screen as this also appears to have impact upon indirect fires accuracy.

Abraham

[Imp]

Boosting experience by any degree would effect many things, issues with arty I can think of quickly.
Increased rate of fire so an extra shot.
Becomes far more effective at counter battery fire, this is based on experience a low experience unit will rarely do so.
I cannot remember but I think it is the experience of the spotter if it has eyes on target that determines how accurate the fire is along with mods for GPS etc.
The experience of the arty crew has a minor effect on the kill pen if I remember not the "scatter"

The only real fix would probably be a whole new class with tighter scatter routines, only really have any effect if you did not have eyes on target however as grouping is normally pretty good already if target hex is in LOS.

[Suhiir]

A new unit class is unlikely and improving spotter Artillery Rating and/or Experience would effect mortars and MLRS as well so that's not desirable.

So it would appear there's no practical way to implement M777A2 Excalibur.
Unless someone has a brilliant idea.

[Imp]

Possible easy fix though not sure its a big enough deal to bother would be to have it "flagged" as if spotter always has eyes on target, so always uses tighter grouping.