Light Tank Recon Bataillons

[Deinhardt]

I bring greetings, my friends.

So. LR is out now for a while and has graced us with a more nuanced approach to Recon bataillons. And I am actually wondering if the Recon Light Tanks are worth the investment. Technically you can equip your special forces divisions (Marines, Mountaineers, Paratroopers) with these and add a bit of hardness, breakthrough and better recon to it, which should benefit them, if you want to use them for offensive purposes. The question is just, if it is significant and worthwhile. Doctrines like GBP buff overall army breathrough, so every bit of punch works with that.

What have you experienced? Worth keeping the Light Tank production up for them, or just a waste? And which division Types benefit the most from Light Tank Recons?

 

[HugsAndSnuggles]

What have you experienced?

1. It makes marines noticeably more effective if they cannot be pierced (although, that is mostly for China vs Japan scenario).
2. Landing them in out-of-supply areas (to support attack on port) is a bad idea.

And which division Types benefit the most from Light Tank Recons?

Probably, your tank divisions: every little bit of armour helps.

 

[Hemothep]

Mobile Warfare L+R Tank Divisions!
Through Design Companies and army XP you can get medium tanks to base 12 speed (so same as motorized infantry).
Speed buffs from doctrines go on top of that. Through mobile warfare you get speed buffs to tanks and motorized infantry (+10% each, +10% for the entire Division), however this doesn't apply to the motorized recon company!
So if you want to use the speed buff from recon you need to use the light tank recon company.
There is nothing more satisfying than seeing one overun after another because your tanks are as fast as strategic redeployment.

 

[Bunnytob]

I find that they're quite useful in MOT divisions - provides some punch in case you need to attack and helps against counterattacks.

 

[STABBY5]

I bring greetings, my friends.

So. LR is out now for a while and has graced us with a more nuanced approach to Recon bataillons. And I am actually wondering if the Recon Light Tanks are worth the investment. Technically you can equip your special forces divisions (Marines, Mountaineers, Paratroopers) with these and add a bit of hardness, breakthrough and better recon to it, which should benefit them, if you want to use them for offensive purposes. The question is just, if it is significant and worthwhile. Doctrines like GBP buff overall army breathrough, so every bit of punch works with that.

What have you experienced? Worth keeping the Light Tank production up for them, or just a waste? And which division Types benefit the most from Light Tank Recons?

Absolutely worth it. They do not add hardness at all but the other stats are very nice on top of it working as recon. It's a significant boost to an infantry divisions breakthrough. I capture tons of light tanks and its a great way to use them. I recently used them in a multiplayer match as France where Germany did not bother putting anti-tank or anti-air in his infantry and none of his infantry could pierce the armor of my infantry (Italy was wiser but the mountains stopped him). The ai is like that too early on.

What you put them on is solely a matter of your budget. Tank divisions benefit the most. They're great for special forces as well. Germany, France, and the Soviets typically end up with enough for the whole army.