Tactica Aeronautica - Ground Attack

One of the big differences between Aeronautica Imperialis and X-wing is altitude. This 3D aspect of the game allows for more types of scenarios than the standard dogfight. Altitude brings ground targets and defences to the game, allowing for bombing and troop transport missions. 

The Bombing Mission, from the Rynn’s World campaign book, is a good example of where ground targets are in use. In this mission the attacker is trying to destroy three ground targets each with 4 Structure points. The defender must take at least one Ground Defence. So, in this mission, there are lots of ground targets. 

Attacking Ground Targets 

There are two ways in which an aircraft can engage a ground target. These are: Strafing Runs and Bombing Runs. 

Strafing Runs 

In a Strafing Run, an aircraft uses any of its weapons that do not have either the Aerial Attack or Ground Attack special rule to fire upon the ground target. To commit to a Strafing Run the aircraft needs to be travelling at Altitude 1 and the ground target needs to be in the firing arc of the weapons being used. The standard rules for shooting then apply. The target is hit on 5+ and damaged according to the weapon being used. 

Bombing Runs 

In Bombing Runs, an aircraft uses its Ground Attack weapons to engage ground targets. Unlike in Strafing Runs, ground attack weapons can be used at any altitude not just Altitude 1, although it should be noted that in most scenarios, it will be impossible to hit from Altitude 5. 

If an aircraft fires its Ground Attack weapons (bombs or missiles) at a Ground target when there is only one level altitude difference, then it will hit the target on 4+. This is a massive bonus to hit.  

The target then becomes increasingly difficult to hit with increased altitude. 

So, for example a Marauder Destroyer, travelling at Altitude 1, could fire its Hellstrike missiles (which have the Ground Attack special rule) and hit a ground target on 4+. It could then use its Autocannons as part of a Strafing Run to hit on 5+ 

Additionally, Bombing Runs (with either bombs or missiles) have the Bomb Creep special rule. This allows the ground target weapon to potentially cause damage to ‘structures' in adjacent hexes to the initial target. This has repercussions for the placement of ground defences around ground targets. Players should not be placing ground structures in adjacent hexes. When I originally read the rules for Bombing Runs, the name of the attack meant I did not read the rule fully/correctly. I falsely assumed Bombing Runs were for bombs only (as was the case in the original 1st Edition Forge Worlds rules). Later, I realised that some missiles could be deployed as part of a Bombing Run. 

Ground Attack Weapons

For me, this makes Imperial Hellstrike Missiles (and the equivalent in other factions) exceptionally valuable and powerful. They can be fired from long range (up to 10 hexes) at a ground target, potentially allowing a player to ‘knock-out’ ground defences before they can even fire back.  

I cannot finish my look at Bombing Runs without considering bombs. Except for the Tau, all the factions currently in Aeronautica have access to bombs. Bombs are a Ground Attack weapon that fires at short range from the rear arc of an aircraft. This is where we must remember this is a game, not a simulation of aerial combat. Bombs fire from the rear arc of an aircraft at short range. Therefore, they can hit any ground target within four hexes of the rear of an aircraft. The aircraft does not actually have to fly over the target! There have been plenty of occasions where I have used a Snap Turn manoeuvre, with my bomber, which has allowed me to turn my aircraft by 180-degree at the end of its movement. Without having flown over the target, the ground target is now in my rear arc and susceptible to a Bombing Run. Not at all representing at real bombing run, but this is a game. 

Personally, I prefer to use Ground Attack missiles to remove ground defences (soft targets), which typically have only 2 Structure points. For ground targets with 4 or more structure points (hard targets), I prefer to use bombs. 

Prioritise Targets

When attacking enemy ground structures, you should always prioritise targets.
Before attacking ground targets, you should destroy the ground defences. This
should be a mission dedicated to a ground attack fighter or two. These fighters
should ideally be armed with missiles or rockets, preferably with the Ground
Attack special rule. If the ground defences are left unharmed, their unrelenting
fire throughout the game could easily prevent your dedicated bombers from
completing their mission.

After the ground defences have been destroyed, the enemy fighters need
to be eliminated or at least distracted. Enemy fighters will have little
difficulty manoeuvring into a tailing position behind your slow-moving bombers,
especially as the begin their bombing and strafing runs.

Finally, the bombers can make their attacks upon the ground targets.

Route to the Target

When you need to attack a ground target, you need to plan your route to the target. The fastest and most direct route, is likely to be a straight line. The advantage of this plan, is that it gets the bomber to the target in the shortest time, thereby reducing the number of turns the opponent has to stop you. The disadvantages are that this path is highly predictable and will be defended by ground defences and enemy fighters. Additionally, it may be difficult to turn for a second pass of the ground target if it is not destroyed on the first run.

Alternatively, the bomber may take a longer route to the target. Whilst this
is less predictable, and therefore, harder to defend against it will take longer
to complete the mission.

Overall, ground target improves the experience of Aeronautica Imperialis. They take the game away from the standard Dogfight and add to the narrative. They introduce new tactics and give you a solid reason to use different aircraft. 

If you would like to read any more of my Aeronautica articles can be found here in the link. 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, please put them in the comments below. Thank you for reading and 'Always watch your six'.