When to use Generals and when to use Field Marshalls

[Bridger15]

So we know that there are two "levels" of leadership in HOI4 which do not stack. You either have an "Army" (with up to 12 divisions) or an Army Group (infinite divisions). The armies are commanded by Generals which will have tactical level traits which often affect combat in specific situations ("jungle fighter" or "engineer" or "fortress buster"). Army Groups will have higher level traits which generally are beneficial across the board (consuming less supply, faster planning, higher morale, etc.).

These two can't stack (you can't put Armies into Army groups to get the benefits of both leaders). It appears the idea is for these to be two distinct options that you may mix and match as the situation requires it.

So what situations do you think would be better to use Armies vs. Army Groups? Would Germany create a single Army Group for the entire eastern front with it's highest skill field marshall but then have "Panzer Armies" which can be moved along the front as needed?

How do you see this playing out?

 

[LordOfWar16]

As you said yourself, generals are for tactical tasks and field marshals for strategical tasks. You probably want 1 big army group aided by several specialized smaller armies. So basicly an broad frontline with infantry-divisions for example and your armored-divisions, mountaineers etc in different onces and give them specific tasks, like encircling for example or taking an specific strategic target. Overall, you dont want your armor to end up in the forrest.

If you wanted you could of course use armies exclusively, but that would mean you miss out on alot of very usefull bonuses for your armies and you would require alot of generals, which your country might not have unless you are playing Germany for example.

I can already tell you that the "logistics wizzard", "offensive doctrine" and "throrough planner" traits will be extremely valueable on the eastern front. I personaly would plan for one or two major fronts together with several armies consisting of armor/motorized to exploit openings and cut off troops.

 

[Ryltar]

I would use FMs on all occasions where personal actions aren't required on a regular base, i.e. garrison duty, securing frontlines, or when using lots of weak units. On the other hand I would use generals on elite or expensive units (tanks, mechanized) and specialized armygroups, i.e. when executing breakthroughs or invasions.

While I don't like it you could even promote all generals to FM before going to war and just use them, especially if you have lots of generals without traits or traits you don't care losing when promoting them. Right now I think it has no influence on the experience they gain or how individual division's battles are executed if being commanded by a general or fieldmarshall.

 

[LordOfWar16]

While I don't like it you could even promote all generals to FM before going to war and just use them, especially if you have lots of generals without traits or traits you don't care losing when promoting them. Right now I think it has no influence on the experience they gain or how individual division's battles are executed if being commanded by a general or fieldmarshall.

Generals without traits usualy have an skilllevel of 1 or maybe 2. That means they start at 1 if you promote them (dont know if you can go down to 0). The Skilllevel is very important since an Skill 5 Field marshal/General will grant its division an 50% Attack and 50% Defense bonus.

 

[Mannstien]

My plan is (At least for Majors) FM's for infantry armies plus garrison area's and General's for Specialty units such as Arm/Mot and Marine's or Mountaineers. My Field Marshalls will follow Battleplans for the most part while I will draw Battle plans for my Generals but will micro much more for encirclements - invasions more often than not.

 

[Ryltar]

Generals without traits usualy have an skilllevel of 1 or maybe 2. That means they start at 1 if you promote them (dont know if you can go down to 0). The Skilllevel is very important since an Skill 5 Field marshal/General will grant its division an 50% Attack and 50% Defense bonus.

As I said: I wouldn't do that but if someone would, it could still work if you manage to raise their level in wars with minor nations. I don't know if I would like to see it work, most probably not.

 

[LordOfWar16]

As I said: I wouldn't do that but if someone would, it could still work if you manage to raise their level in wars with minor nations. I don't know if I would like to see it work, most probably not.

well, you probably wont have much if any problem agianst the smaller minors, but i doubt that it will work against the soviet union for example, especailly if they have an decent general/FM.

 

[Sir Garnet]

Other than for defensive and garrison AGs, for me it all depends on the degree to which the different groupings of units within an Army/AG can be given different battle plans while remaining part of that army or army group. I'm not recognizing in the videos where the limiting factors are that will push players to divide up the commands of the best generals and spin off another Army/AG.

 

[Number 7]

i'd use generals for anything fairly small scale. for example, the spearhead of a breakthrough deserves its own general with panzer leader, trickster and such which are all really really good traits compared to the field marshal traits (which have some really nice large scale bonuses, but nothing like Trickster's impressive recon bonus to help you pick the exact right tactic for a decisive advantage, and panzer leader alone is worth what, 25%, or 2.5 skill levels worth for armoured divisions in combat divisions?)

also generals could probably be put to good use in garrisons. in your spare time, setting up smaller coastal garrisons defended by high skill generals who aren't needed (say you have 4 high skill high trait generals, and you only need 2 at the front lines, better to give the other two an assignment that could give your opponent trouble in a naval invasion than just assigning it to a field marshal right?)

apart from surgical breakthrough and exploitation forces, and possibly garrison forces like that, and for example a japanese marine corps seizing the pacific where the total nubmer of divisions will probably be 12 or under and the skill will be really nice, i can't see where field marshals wouldnt be better

so generals are great in the right places