Sudden Strike units

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Sudden Strike is a computer game in the real-time tactics genre.

Contents

[edit] Introduction

Sudden Strike is set in World War II and many of the units used in-game are based on their real-life counterparts, with changes in damage and speed characteristics made in the interests of balanced gameplay.

[edit] Infantry Units

All three factions, the Red Army, Germans, and the Allied forces possess common infantry units.

  • Rifleman — The most common infantry type. The Soviet rifleman uses the Mosin-Nagant rifle. The German rifleman fights with the Karabiner 98k whereas the Allied equivalent uses the M1 Garand rifle. All riflemen have the ability to lay anti-tank mines.
Their roles are multi-purpose (often such as to man unoccupied enemy artillery or to garrison buildings), but they can perform a number of other roles such as sniping, reconnaissance and as an infantry reserve for the sub-machine gun units. The rifleman model is represented as having a sling across their uniforms (for their rifles) and their uniforms are darker in color tone compared to the other infantry units. Riflemen with higher experience (denoted in the experience counter of the interface) can kill most other enemy infantry in one shot as well as having a line of sight inferior only to a sniper or an officer of a similar experience level. The Allied rifleman, by using the Garand, has a higher rate of fire than his counterparts (who use bolt-action rifles) but do less damage per shot. There are also British riflemen in the game but are mostly encountered in the Sudden Strike:Forever add-on and their characteristics are similar to that of the bolt-action riflemen.
  • Sub-machinegunner — The SMG soldier, in addition to their fast-firing SMG weaponry which they possess, can also lob (a maximum of 4) grenades onto enemy tanks and vehicles and destroy enemy-garrisoned buildings en masse. The German submachine-gunner uses the MP 40 in combat, while the Soviet equivalent uses the PPSh-41. American SMGs engage their enemies with the Thompson submachine gun. The difference between the gunners' attacking capabilities are not noticeable. The SMG soldier is generally uniformed in-game with a paler version of the nation's colors.
  • Anti-tank — As its role implies, the anti-tank infantry uses its weapons to take out armored vehicles. The Germans use the Panzerfaust and has only 4 reloads whereas the Soviet counterpart fights with the PTRD rifle. The Soviet anti-tank is also effective against other infantry and has 15 ammo reserves. Allied soldiers use the common bazooka which is similar to the German Panzerfaust. Their in-game model is difficult to discern from the rifleman but their different weaponry is a good clue as to their identity.
  • Sniper — The sniper unit is a general infantry unit for all 3 sides, but carries an important role in taking out enemy infantry manning anti-tank weaponry as well as enemy infantry garrisoned in buildings. They have an excellent line and range of sight and possess the longest infantry weapon range. Their model is represented in-game as a unit in a green ghillie suit and may serve as a suitable disguise in multi-player games. Their weaponry are the same in all respects and do not utilise the actual World War II sniper rifles. The sniper has 50 ammunition reserve. French resistance commandos are also available in the early Allied missions and perform a similar duty as the sniper.
  • Officer — A unit with the best line and range of sight in-game. His role in-game is chiefly to provide recon for anti-tank artillery pieces (so as to maximise the usefulness of the artillery range) but may also undertake assault missions although his fighting ability is poor. An officer with maximum experience can reveal a large radius of fog of war around him. Officers can be 'trained' by ordering them to shoot at armored vehicles (until they max out their stats) since in Sudden Strike, each time a unit fires his weapon or takes damage, the unit's experience would slowly increase. The Soviet officer carries a TT-33 pistol whereas the German equivalent is armed with the Luger pistol. The Allied officer uses the M1911 for his defense. In Sudden Strike II, an officer's presence boost the morale of troops around him which may affect combat performance.
  • Machinegunner — The unit with a similar role as the sub-machine gunner. The American machinegunner uses the Browning M1919 while the German uses the MG 34 and the Soviet equivalent wages battles with the Degtyarev light machine gun. Some machinegun fire may also damage light armored vehicles. Their weaponry model in-game differentiates this unit from other infantry. The machine gunner has a large ammo reserve of 200. Their weapon range has been extended in Sudden Strike II.
  • Tank crews — Once a vehicle is destroyed, some tank crews may survive and can be used as an infantry reserve. They cannot man existing vehicles to boost its experience level but can man anti-tank artillery pieces like all other infantry. Their unit model is an infantry clothed in grey. Their weapons deal the same damage as the submachinegun unit minus the bonus grenades. This infantry type has been scrapped in Sudden Strike II as destroyed tanks do not yield survivors.
  • Flamethrower unit - Only available to the Germans and the Allied forces and are seldom used. They make a prominent appearance in the single-player map 'Saving Private Bryan'.


[edit] Vehicles

[edit] Soviet vehicles

  • BA-64 — Like its actual WWII counterpart, its major role is scouting. Its machine-gun is used to keep enemy infantry at bay while it goes about its missions. It can also transport 2 infantry units and is available in most of the Soviet missions. The Sudden Strike II version also includes a BA-64 with a propaganda speaker (but is unarmed) which can 'convert' enemy troops to fight on the player's side.
  • T-70 light tank — The first tank given to the command of the player of the Russian campaign. In the early missions, this tank is adequate enough to counter the lighter vehicles of the Wehrmacht but would quickly lose out to the later Panther tank and Tiger tank models. Its light armor meant that even enemy riflemen can chip away at its armor (albeit slower than anti-tank units) until it is destroyed. The T-26 tank also makes an appearance in the game but is less useful as it does not have a secondary armanent (the Degtyarev MG) and is only used against armored units. Sudden Strike II also has the OT-26 which is a light flame tank.
  • T-34 medium tank — The T-34 version used in the original Sudden Strike is the 1942 model with the 76.2 mm F-34. The tank in the game is portrayed as adequately armored and well armed. It can be used on the offensive although its firing range and frequency is dependent on the experience of the crew manning the tank. In the Sudden Strike Forever add-on, the player has the opportunity to use both the 76.2 mm model as well as the upgunned T-34-85 model which is painted in a darker green color than the original and has the Soviet star on its turret. It makes its first appearance in the 3rd mission of the Russian campaign. In Sudden Strike II, the flame-tank equivalent; the OT-34 is also available.
  • KV-1 heavy tank — In the game, this tank is the first heavy tank under control of the player of the Russian missions. It is best used on the offensive and as a support defense unit due to its heavy armor (represented by more hitpoints in the game). It was first featured in the 4th mission of the Russian campaign. Sudden Strike II also introduced the KV-2 tank but is not an artillery platform as in reality.
  • IS-2 heavy tank — These tanks appear late in the campaign. The IS-2 features more firepower than the KV-1 tank and has more armor (hitpoints) but is extremely slow even with an experienced crew.
  • SU-76 tank destroyer — In the Sudden Strike game, the use of tank destroyers pose a problem as the facing position of these tanks must be meticulous. In the event that the SU-76 is disabled (damaged to half of its hitpoints and below), it would not be able to rotate its cannon and engage the enemy, and only able to fire in a straight line from its line of sight. Its weapons are also ineffective against infantry.
  • ISU-122 tank destroyer - Only available in Sudden Strike:Forever and Sudden Strike II. Unlike the SU-76, their firepower is also effective against enemy infantry.
  • Katyusha rocket launcher — The BM-13 version is the unit used in Sudden Strike. It is available at the very first Soviet mission and has a wide area of damage with its 16 rockets. Since the rockets can also deal a lot of damage, they are also very difficult to replenish and costs more supplies than other units. The Katyusha also cannot engage targets in close trajectory proximity but has a longer range than most artillery pieces. Further, the unit would not immediately attack enemy troops and the player has to manually target the enemies to be attacked. The Sudden Strike II version is the Katyusha mounted on the Studebaker US6 truck and has a smaller complement of 6 rockets.
  • GAZ truck — Loads up to 8 infantry units at any given time. Once its hitpoints are below the average level and the health bar turns yellow, its occupants are immediately ejected. It can be used to tow heavy artillery and other AT pieces. Heavy machine guns can also be loaded into the truck but must be manned beforehand. The same principle also applies to the 'Granatwerfer' mortar unit.
  • Supply trucks — The standard repair and supply truck. It requires regular supplies (for ammunition supply) and parts (for vehicle repairs) worth 15000 each but can 'manufacture' supplies on its own if stationary. It can also be ordered to build hedgehog defences and barbed wire passive defences. They can replenish their supplies by refuelling from supply crates that have been paradropped or those currently existing on the map. The Sudden Strike:Forever add-on introduces the Lend-Lease programme supply trucks to the Soviets whereas the Germans have the SdKfz equivalent.

[edit] German vehicles

  • Volkswagen Kübelwagen — A primary scout unit. Infantry loaded in the car will open fire on enemies. It is lightly armored and can withstand low-calibre fire.
  • Panzer I — the first tank for the German missions and is available in mission 3. Like all light tanks portrayed in the game, even riflemen can destroy these tanks after persistent attacks. It is armed with a machine-gun.
  • Panzer II — makes its first appearance at the same mission as the Panzer I. Since its 20 mm cannon is inferior to other tanks in the game (and has a rather poor shot range), its role is best served as an infantry support unit.
  • Panzer III — the Ausf F and J are employed in this game. Its performance in-game are comparable to the T-34 although its 50 mm cannon is inferior in this respect.
  • Panther tank — the Ausf D is used in the game and has better armor than the earlier Panzers. Performance-wise it is also equivalent to the T-34 tanks.
  • Tiger tank — the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E Tiger I is one of the heaviest tanks in the game, with a powerful 88-mm cannon and heavy armor. Its drawback is its slow speed and poor maneuverability.
  • Jagdpanther — one of the 3 German tank destroyers featured in Sudden Strike. While possessing more armor and better weaponry than its Soviet counterpart, the SU-76, it also faces the same problems as the SU model if the tank is disabled.
  • Jagdtiger — same in-game description as the Jagdpanther, with slightly better armor (more hitpoints).
  • SdKfz 251 and the Leichter Panzerspahwagen armored vehicles. They are commonly used in recon missions although their ability to transport troops is also an useful asset.
  • Hummel — The Sudden Strike and the Sudden Strike: Forever versions of the Hummel is inaccurately portrayed as it does not function as an artillery piece but is also of the same fighting ability as an ordinary Panzer. It is, however, rarely used in the game. This oversight has been corrected in Sudden Strike II where it functions as a mobile howitzer unit.
  • Panzerwerfer — Erroneously named in the game as the Nebelwerfer when in fact there is already a stationary artillery unit in the game which alludes to being the historically accurate WW II weapon. This is the German version of the BM-13 Katyusha. It has a slightly larger payload than the BM-13 but its rockets do not have the same damage effect although it covers a wider radius of damage around the intended target. The Sudden Strike version of this rocket vehicle also has a shorter range and has weak armor.

The Germans also have supply and passenger trucks which serve in a similar capacity as its Soviet counterparts

[edit] Allied vehicles

  • M8 Greyhound armored car. It has a long firing range but poor weaponry against armored units. This unit can load up to 3 infantry units and is fast-moving. Infantry are immediately ejected from the vehicle if damage is too intense.
  • M5 Stuart light tank. One of the fastest tanks in the game. It can take a reasonable amount of damage and its speed is good when breaking through enemy defensive pockets.
  • M24 Chaffee light tank. A normal tank with no particular abilities in the game although its 75 mm cannon is good against most tanks. In the game, its main drawback is its light armor.
  • M4 Sherman medium tank. The M4A1 76-mm version as well as the 75-mm versions are used although their combat abilities are not different.
  • M26 Pershing. The heavy tank of the Allied side. Its 90 mm cannon is good against armored units but in the game, its performance is hampered by its slow speed and its lighter armor compared to the Tiger tanks and the IS-2.
  • M18 Hellcat. The Allied tank destroyer. The major advantage of this tank destroyer in comparison to its other equivalents is its turret which can still rotate even when the main chassis is disabled. Small-calibre weapon fire can damage the vehicle after continuous attacks.
  • Churchill tank. The version here is the 'Churchill Crocodile' and is armed with a flame-thrower in place of the hull mounted Besa machine gun. The flamethrower addition can be used to flush out occupied bunkers and is good at decimating scores of enemy infantry up close.
  • Universal Carrier. This unit makes an appearance in the Sudden Strike:Forever add-on. It can tow heavy artillery units and can also act as a support vehicle for infantry.
  • T34 Calliope. Rocket launcher with 60 payloads. Their rockets, while covering a far distance and affect a larger radius, do not inflict as much as damage as its Russian and German counterparts.

[edit] See also

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