HQ question

[unmerged(17791)]

I'm now engaging in combat for the first time in HoI2, and I just happened to be reading the wiki article on HQ's, and it looks like I've set things up wrong. I was under the impression that having an HQ nearby (adjacent province) gave the unit(s) engaged in combat some bonus, naturally. But since it's obvious you don't want the HQ to be fighting directly -since it's weak- I've been keeping them just right behind the front lines, and moving them up once the armies advance.

I've been putting some really lame Mj. Gen.'s out there by themselves to occupy the HQ units... usually some worthless guy that's a logistics wizard (hey, why not save some supplies). And of course, I naturally put my good leaders in command of the 'Armeekorps' that's actually doing the fighting. Granted it never made SENSE to me, that you'd want to put some worthless schmuck at HQ... but I just thought that's how the game worked, mechanically. -Just have that silly HQ division back there, and pick up a combat effectiveness bonus.

So what are you really supposed to do? -Put the great Generals and FM's at HQ, and move them up to the front lines? Does it have to be at the front, or will the 'cool guy' general/FM actually take command from one province back?

 

[theokrat]

For Germany there are enough lame ass generals. Von Epp, Himmler etc. You can do the same but with them. If you dont use autopromotion you can get a worthless guy to general as well.

Otherwise i dont seem much reason not to include the HQs in the actual fighting stacks.

 

[unmerged(26364)]

Otherwise i dont seem much reason not to include the HQs in the actual fighting stacks.

I have the same question - how to use a HQ. Reading Your answer now leaves me as perplexed as before - is the HQ worthless sitting in an adjactent province and does one has to include it to a front unit or would it somehow still be wise to let HQ be in a neighbouring unit to the one, where the action takes place?

 

[theokrat]

A HQ does:

• give a small ESE bonus for all adjected provinces
• double the allowed limits for each axis of attack originating from a province adjected to the HQs province. IF and only if its commanded by a general or FM
• not take any strength looses except by aircraft

only for your own troops.

 

[unmerged(86477)]

then, hqs work in the front line and also if you add more troops to their stack?

 

[mikwarleo]

http://www.paradoxian.org/hoi2wiki/index.php/HQ_Units_in_Action

 

[unmerged(17791)]

http://www.paradoxian.org/hoi2wiki/index.php/HQ_Units_in_Action

Yeah, it was actually due to reading that, that I came and asked this question... the main thing I'm asking here is: is it better to have the higher-skilled Generals/FMs w/ good leader traits back at HQ... or should you put those guys at the front, and just put some loser Gen/FM (like Himmler) back at HQ?

I.e. is the leader at HQ really applying his skill, traits, and gaining personal experience to the benefit of the entire area of influence the HQ covers? If that's the case, then you would want to put guys like Manstein, et. al. back at HQ.

As far as fighting at the front - there's no question in my mind how that works... and the only reason you might want to actually fight w/ HQ divisions, is if you really just need every division you can get. Aside from that - location is everything.

 

[mikwarleo]

In short: it makes no difference.

Though there are a few finer points to it but that's more to do with how leaders work, not your HQ specifically. The thing to keep in mind is that when grouped with other units your HQ will stay out of the action if attacked/attacking (air attack can still get at your HQ).

Beyond that, general leader function tells you that you can group your HQ with your other units and if you've got a good FM/GN in command of it when you go into battle he'll also command the overall attack. His traits/skill only apply to the units under his direct command (i.e. the HQ and whatever is grouped with it - but remember the HQ wont fight). Other units with other leaders will receive those units skill and trait bonuses, not the FM/GN's.

Ultimately, the only reason I can see that you ever need a GN or FM is to have a leader that is capable of commanding a large number of divisions without penalty. And that they can operate a HQ.

So, with all this in mind you might choose to have your HQ keeping pace with your front line stuff and 'particpating' in battles under the command of an excellent FM/GN.

The only time I can imagine this making any difference is when you're in the most desperate of fights and the slot going to your HQ which could go to an active fighting unit it hurting your chances of victory. Even here I imagine the difference would be smallish.

I hope that clarifies things.

 

[unmerged(17791)]

Ah yes - so basically the HQ is just some little thing that you need to have... fortunately it's relatively quick so it shouldn't slow the formation down, and other than that, it's just taking up a slot. Alright, I get it - thanks.

Now I just need to go back and figure out how to reorganize my Wehrmacht to incorporate the HQ into the 'Armeekorps'. Blast... I had everything PERFECTLY organized:

I. Armeekorps would be broken into 4 groups... each having 3 divisions. Group A would have the FM, and the others usually a Lt. Gen, or maybe a Gen.
1-12 Infanterie Divisionen made I. Armeekorps, 13-24 made II., etc. -On up to X.

Now you're telling me I have to screw the whole thing up, and put some HQ in the mix. OK, suppose I put it in the 4th korps (divisions 9-12 in the case of I. Armeekorps), and make it caboose on the organization? Then, it would not matter since it doesn't fight anyway - regarding the stack penalty... but, it's still there, so I get the HQ bonus.......?

Organization is everything, man. You don't even wanna know how far I micromanage.

 

[mikwarleo]