Not sure about the use of tactical helicopter

[McGregor]

Hi guys,

I have access to Tactical helicopter since yesterday. It looks nice. It can drop your stuff only once, right ? Does it really have an interest and how do you guys play it ? Anti air stuff severely hurt him anyhow imo.

The only reason I can find it useful is that it does not have to bypass walls in order to heal your troops. It is not slowed by traps either.

 

[MSS-Gaming]

My CWA heavy supply convoy heals for 76 hp per second and takes 7 unit space while my CWA heavy tactical helicopter heals for 80 hp per seconds taking up 12 troop space. When considering the factor of healing in relation to troop space the heavy supply convoy heals for 10.86 hps per troop space and the heavy tactical helicopter heals for 6.75 hps per troop space. This means that the heavy supply convoy provides 61% more healing in comparison to the heavy tactical helicopter in a per second per troop space basis.

 

[Quovatis]

Yes, but you have to factor in that the helicopter flies, and is less likely to wander off to its death, and it usually won't die to a single trap. Depends how much those advantages are worth to you. For many players, it's worth the extra troop space cost.

 

[McGregor]

I completely agree that pure maths favor the supply convoy. However, maths don't say any word about being stuck by a wall and having to bypass it to reach one's target.

 

[MSS-Gaming]

I do agree that the play style is important to take into consideration. I lose about one supply convoy over the course of ten multiplayer matches because I have changed my style of play to mitigate the risk of my healers wondering off. I rarely rally and if I do, I insure that the troops will not be impacted by the rally location in a negative manner. As far as path-finding, the challenge is to suppress the urge to think logically and learn the way in which the game applies its own logic. I feel that I've learned a lot from trying different approaches and I've learned to see the consistency in the illogical troop path-finding technique that the game employs. That being said, I do agree that the tactical helicopter as a single troop is more survivable than the supply convoy. It is up to every player to do their own cost-benefit analysis to see which troop they'd find more suitable for their play style.

 

[MSS-Gaming]

Please refer to my reply above to Quovatis comment.

 

[Manifesto]

TH vs supply truck is different for everyone. I suggest you experiment with different setups, that's the only way you'll find out for yourself. THs are great for oil raiding, if that's what you're into. Make sure you pick your bases carefully.
I tried them when they first came out and I was able to use them as both effective healers and occasional oil raiders. However as defenses got better they died on occasion just like supply trucks. In the grand scheme they didn't perform any differently to trucks, especially when oil production and oil raiding improved within the game. So I switched back to trucks, not because of the maths-per-healing but the extra troop space allows me to carry extra shooters or extra infantry or extra bazookas. For me, that's the main benefit of trucks over choppers. Also, trucks don't use oil to train.
Try them yourself and see what works best for you.

 

[_Flash_]

I would agree with many here - try out both, and choose what works for you.
I've even known a player who used one TH and one supply convoy in his troop composition because he found that to work best for him

Personally though, I've switched to the Tactical Helicopter for MP battles mainly because of better survival rate and their ability to fly over walls, and have been going into war attacks with a troop composition without healing units. In the end, it comes down to what works best for you after several experiments.

Cheers and happy gaming!

 

[Saruman the White]

I have very little experience but I am disappointed of them already. I'm determined to give them more opportunities though

 

[Aedak]

Keep in mind that the TH does not include triple its healing for cavalry or generals like the convoy. This combined with the fact that they cost oil and add to your training time... and take up more space, outweigh any potential usefulness. I prefer 2 convoys.

 

[McGregor]

THs are great for oil raiding, if that's what you're into. Make sure you pick your bases carefully.

I was looking for general purpose but I am also eager to understand how people can raid oil easily with. Usually there are some SAM on the way...

 

[yemen]

I use one TH where I used to use two supply trucks. I also use APCs a fair bit, so that provides disposable hitpoints (don't care how many of those infantry die) and I need less healing overall. It is a pretty rare battle where I lose my TH without having an entire army loss, and I would lose supply trucks every few battles against tough bases. So much better from that perspective.

THs have recently been modified - the description now says they do provide tripled heals to tanks / generals. Intentional or not, a welcome change for some. I never use them anywhere near my tanks or generals (missile silo bait, as I think of them now), so it isn't a big change for me.

And they are nearly worthless for oilraiding, with reduced hitpoints, increased cost, and susceptibility to atgs compared to the early days. It can be done, but the bases that are susceptible can usually be raided with wall miners / motorcycle raiders almost as easily.

 

[McGregor]

Thanks for the point. I was doubting but you confirm it's an old strategy.

 

[Manifesto]

You can raid oil specifically if you're willing to sacrifice your THs. Even with air defenses and towers, 3 or 4 THs will usually get the raiders through. The THs will die quickly but not before the raiders get the oil.
THs, assassins and massed engineers are the troops who usually get my oil, but almost always with multiple decoys first.

 

[Quang t legend]

You can have the best of both world by use one TH and one supply troops. The TH will last longer and have one healer alive is 10 times better than have none!