The importance of signal company!

[I had a bad name 99]

Signal company boosts initiative, which is important if you are fighting in a maxed width battle and you have tons of divisions waiting behind reserves for reinforcement. When all your frontline divisions get repelled easily due to strong enemy defense, you may want another division(s) to quickly reinforce from reserve once a certain combat width is available. This will keep your battle running so that eventually the enemy lost out due to attrition on organisation and combat strength.

Note that this "guide" applies to battle where combat width is your only limiting factor for your otherwise overwhelming strength (manpower, firepower).

Take a look at the example below. I have 24 infantry divisions (average organisation is 41.9). The enemy has 4 frontline divisions and 1 in reserve. I have overwhelming airpower (200 CAS, 400 TAC)
and naval support (3 battleships). My four frontline divisions were unable to dislodge them (the marker is red; number is 83), and they quickly lose organisation one by one. Luckily, some of my infantry reserves were able to reinforce in time before the last frontline division dropped out. I already have 9 infantry divisions that have lost organization and withdrawn from the battle. Had not my reserve divisions have a decent reinforcement chance (7%), I would have lost the entire battle before the rest of my troops could come out and fight. This allows me to stay in the fight, until the enemy completely ran out of organisation and combat strength. As a result, I was able to take the island with the remaining 15 divisions.

If my divisions have a signal company, I am able to boost my reinforcement chance by 14%, allowing me to end the battle quicker as I will receive more reinforcement in time. For example, if the combat width available is 40 (Due to two frontline divisions dropping out), I am able to receive two new divisions, instead of one. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I am not a pro player. Just a veteran "soldier" who has made a lot of mistakes. So my "guide" comes from hands-on experience. I am sure there are more professional guides out there.

 

[KDEstroy]

This would only apply to naval invasions. For land battles, if you were the attacker, and 4 of your frontline divisions all lose their organization before your reserves have time to reinforce, then you can attack again immediately after the first battle ends, with troops at full org. Perhaps unrealistically, signal companies are far more useful for the defender than the attacker. They do buff planning speed but the effect isn't large.

 

[I had a bad name 99]

This would only apply to naval invasions. For land battles, if you were the attacker, and 4 of your frontline divisions all lose their organization before your reserves have time to reinforce, then you can attack again immediately after the first battle ends, with troops at full org. Perhaps unrealistically, signal companies are far more useful for the defender than the attacker. They do buff planning speed but the effect isn't large.

That sorta makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Simon_9732495]

Another tipp for naval invasions:
It's better to plan 6 times the same invasion with 4 units each. (Side effect: The planning is 6 times faster.)
Then you can start only the first invason and wait until it deorgs. You time the second invasion that i arrives short after the first one stops attacking. (Also called circling naval invasions).
Due to the low naval attack values it is important that the fight lasts long and your CAS can grind down the enemy and he cannot gain org.
If you invade with 24 Divisions it can happen at some point that 4 divisions leave the battle at the same time and the battle is over and all 24 sail home. Then the enemy can regain org and you have to start at the beginning.

 

[Kryndude]

I've said this before on a reddit thread, but SIGs are only worth it in multiplayer and for high priority troops, i.e. tanks. In singleplayer, you can reset the battle with the units you want by canceling the attack, so you get a limited use of SIG only in defensive battles, which you shouldn't have a problem with against the AI anyways. Even in MP, regular infantry joining the fight 2~6 hours earlier on average depending on tech level (starts out as 6 or more and quickly decreases to 2 as you gain more reinforce rate modifiers) isn't worth the extra cost imo.

 

[I had a bad name 99]

I've said this before on a reddit thread, but SIGs are only worth it in multiplayer and for high priority troops, i.e. tanks. In singleplayer, you can reset the battle with the units you want by canceling the attack, so you get a limited use of SIG only in defensive battles, which you shouldn't have a problem with against the AI anyways. Even in MP, regular infantry joining the fight 2~6 hours earlier on average depending on tech level (starts out as 6 or more and quickly decreases to 2 as you gain more reinforce rate modifiers) isn't worth the extra cost imo.

Thanks for the input! I have never really found any use in signal until this naval invasion. Thought it is cool that you get faster reinforcement to breakthrough the line (with less micromanagement need).

 

[I had a bad name 99]

Based on some of the responses here, I have gathered that while signal company has not found any mainstream use, it is definitely useful in "critical situation" like my example above, when you need the extra "push".

Of course, there are other easier ways to circumvent its use, as Simon suggested.

 

[Ricka the Rekka]

In your picture dont the Greek's have more the initiative? That's what the arrows are under the General?

 

[Zwirbaum]

In your picture dont the Greek's have more the initiative? That's what the arrows are under the General?

In infinite Paradoxian wisdom, Initiative stat bestowed by Signal Companies, affect Planning Speed and Reinforce Rate has nothing to do with 'Initiative' marker on the General, which means he will be able to re-roll the tactic in hope to counter enemy tactic. Aka, same word for two different modifiers/effects.

 

[King Of Heroes]

the Initiative stat should be renamed Coordination or similar concept.

 

[Zwirbaum]

the Initiative stat should be renamed Coordination or similar concept.

Which is a stat/skill for naval admirals.

 

[Kryndude]

In infinite Paradoxian wisdom, Initiative stat bestowed by Signal Companies, affect Planning Speed and Reinforce Rate has nothing to do with 'Initiative' marker on the General, which means he will be able to re-roll the tactic in hope to counter enemy tactic. Aka, same word for two different modifiers/effects.

If the general with higher initiative re-rolls, then does that mean he can end up with worse tactic than what he originally had?

 

[Spelaren]

So signal is useless for singleplayer minor countries?

 

[Kryndude]

Depends on how you play. The more you micro the less useful it becomes.

 

[I had a bad name 99]

In infinite Paradoxian wisdom

Given how "complex" HOI4 mechanics can get, someone should probably start a HOI4, or Paradox, university. I would pay to listen to a lecturer.

 

[I had a bad name 99]

If the general with higher initiative re-rolls, then does that mean he can end up with worse tactic than what he originally had?

According to wiki, "The side with initiative will pick their tactic after the other side, and if a tactic is available to counter the other side's tactic its weight will be multiplied by 1 + 0.35 * difference in skill points."

My guess is that the tactic available to counter the other side's tactic will have a higher chance of getting selected.

 

[I had a bad name 99]

So signal is useless for singleplayer minor countries?

I guess so. And also because minor countries tend to have less troops, so less battle where you need a lot of reinforcement. I imagine signal is like a much more expensive "radio" upgrade.

Signal company importance

 

[I had a bad name 99]

Another tipp for naval invasions:
It's better to plan 6 times the same invasion with 4 units each. (Side effect: The planning is 6 times faster.)
Then you can start only the first invason and wait until it deorgs. You time the second invasion that i arrives short after the first one stops attacking. (Also called circling naval invasions).
Due to the low naval attack values it is important that the fight lasts long and your CAS can grind down the enemy and he cannot gain org.
If you invade with 24 Divisions it can happen at some point that 4 divisions leave the battle at the same time and the battle is over and all 24 sail home. Then the enemy can regain org and you have to start at the beginning.

Regarding this, I have found that a fully researched marine technology will increase your breakthrough rate by reducing the terrain penalty from 30% to 20%. And this is a HUGE difference. In my current campaign, I was unable to conquer Ireland with 16 marine divisions even though they have only two divisions guarding the capital port. But once I upgraded from level 1 to level 3 for marine technology, I could do it with ease!

Edit: NOT marine technology, but max Engineering company. The max marine is not essential, but it helps to boost soft attack and organisation. At this late game, it is better to have both researched since you are navy-focused nation.

 

[CrackingShow]

Regarding this, I have found that a fully researched marine technology will increase your breakthrough rate by reducing the terrain penalty from 30% to 20%. And this is a HUGE difference. In my current campaign, I was unable to conquer Ireland with 16 marine divisions even though they have only two divisions guarding the capital port. But once I upgraded from level 1 to level 3 for marine technology, I could do it with ease!

Edit: NOT marine technology, but max Engineering company. The max marine is not essential, but it helps to boost soft attack and organisation. At this late game, it is better to have both researched since you are navy-focused nation.


View attachment 584750

Or skip the engineers and add a tank battalion to the Marines, they'll have good breakthrough that way.

 

[MR2]

Or skip the engineers and add a tank battalion to the Marines, they'll have good breakthrough that way.

Even better, do both!