Division design advice needed.

[Agenor]

I have noticed that the bigger AI countries have started using a 9inf/3Art division with a width 27, which brings 3 of them just over the 80 width limit, unless you have a Field Marshal that increases width in charge. They also, as a result, have fewer units.

Is this superior to the 7Inf/2art, which used to be the standard AI build (and is still used by the smaller countries, even though they usually don't have the artillery to fill the division up) ? The 9/3 unit has better attack, but is it best for defending a line?

 

[Samlefomas]

I would imagine that as long as you build sensible 20 width divisions, and have enough to field 4 of them in any given combat, you should be fine. I doubt that the stat bonus they get is enough to beat an extra division, but if you don't have the manpower to have more divisions in every province along your front line than them, you may want a redesign.
Hope this helps, I can hardly claim to be an expert on these things but that's just the way I see it

 

[GermanDave]

If you can, go for 40 width divisions asap. They provide one hell of a punch since stacking softpower is still OP.

 

[Agenor]

If you can, go for 40 width divisions asap. They provide one hell of a punch since stacking softpower is still OP.

I have heard that they are poor at defending a line - their org decreases faster than that of 2 x 20 width divisions, I think. I was just wondering what the advantage of the 9inf/3art units was, over the standard 7inf/2art.

 

[a_sophist]

I have heard that they are poor at defending a line - their org decreases faster than that of 2 x 20 width divisions, I think. I was just wondering what the advantage of the 9inf/3art units was, over the standard 7inf/2art.

The only advantage I can think of is that with no combat modifiers involved, 9/3 will beat 7/2 one on one (or two on two etc. up to the combat width). Whether or not you need to be concerned by that depends on how often you expect that situation to arise and what your manpower/equipment situation is. The problem that can arise with using 40 widths only is reinforcement, and potentially org if it's artillery heavy. If you're playing a major (or other country with sufficient manpower/industry) one 40 width and two 20 width is fine for defending 80 combat width.

 

[walt526]

If you're attacking from multiple fronts, then 40 width divisions are best. If you're attacking a single front, then 20 width divisions are better because you'll be less likely to have all 4 divisions run out of org before they can be reinforced rather than just 2.

 

[a_sophist]

If you're attacking from multiple fronts, then 40 width divisions are best. If you're attacking a single front, then 20 width divisions are better because you'll be less likely to have all 4 divisions run out of org before they can be reinforced rather than just 2.

Alternatively, if you can afford it only attack with high breakthrough 40 width divisions (i.e. medium tanks) so that deorg from combat is essentially a non issue. Also if you're playing a minor it might non be manpower efficient to attack with 20 width no matter what, but that's contextual of course.

 

[stl3l9n]

Spam 10 width infantry (maybe only engineer) for defence, while use 40 width for attacking (but tanks are better for that). 7/2 Divs are good all rounders, so you can keep 7/2s. If your playing France, then 10 width spam is a good idea as you a defence based mostly.

 

[Agenor]

Thank you guys, that's useful advice.