Molotov cocktail/ Brandflasche etc

[PantherCub]

It seems to me that Molotov cocktail/ Brandflasche are by far the most effective infantry anti tank weapons in the game until Panzerfausts and Bazookas come along. They are certainly more effective than the plethora of hand launched anti tank grenades, which in game mostly add to the sound and explosion effects but very rarely do any damage.

Now if molotov cocktails really were so effective, one wonders why so many militaries went to the trouble to invent and produce all those ineffective hand launched anti tank grenades?

In short, might molotov cocktails be overeffective as anti tank weapons in the game?

[scorpio_rocks]

Molotov cocktail weapons WERE very effective, BUT were very dangerous to transport and use.

A lot of development time and effort went into producing something which was easy to use, safe and easy to transport and could increase the range at which the PBI could engage armour.

[Mobhack]

Molotovs are flame weapons - so they can bypass armour to get in via the engine grilles etc, they have added morale effects beyond "mere" HE on the targets (and any other5s in the same hex) and they can cause fires that block LOS (which can be a disadvantage at times, e.g blocking your own ATG and tank's LOS).

Flame weapons are therefore expensive. So I usually prefer the anti-tank grenades, if they have HEAT that is worthwhile (if assaulting they usually go for the weakest armour - usually top), or can be fired at range if rifle grenades. Being able to slot little scout cars at 3-4 hexes is useful.

[sigeena]

Yes, they tend to be more expensive than standard AT weapons. In the early war where your best infantry AT weapon is a grenade bundle, I tend to mix it up, and only have my Platoon Commander use molotovs.