What's the big deal about flanking in battle?

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Its attacking from the side.

You know how in starcraft, you build that long wall of photon cannons to prevent anyone from just walking right in? Well then you also know that the strongest point of defense is somewhere in the middle. So if you're attacking that wall of photon cannons, are you just going to bee line all your guys into the middle of those cannons? No, of course not. You'll suffer heavy losses that way.

But if you attack from where that photon cannon wall begins you severly limit the number of cannons that can be firing on your forces at any given time. You can then effectively 'roll up' the photon cannon wall and destroy it all with a much smaller force than you would need to take it out head on. Starcraft doesn't have friendly fire for the most part, but in real life...having to fire 'over your own ranks' like the cannons would be doing here would likely hurt your own guys as much as the enemy.

But photon cannons are obviously stationary. Lets say that instead of photon cannons, it was a line of hydralisks, side by side, set to Hold This Position. Again, the hydras would make short work of most attacking forces unless they were totally outnumbered...however, if the attacking forces hit from the side they'd only have to fight 4 or 5 hydras at any given point in the battle. Of course the hydras would be moved to bolster the ranks on that side...but that leaves the center weakened as well. Plus, there's going to be a period of disorganization where the hydras are moving into position but not firing. The hydras will be fired on while doing so, (And you'll be swearing "Fvcking get in there and shoot you dumbass!") and if the original hydras are already destroyed by the time backup gets into position, the attack has already been pretty successful.

A good attack strategy here would be to use a two pronged attack, starting with a flank. When the hydras move out of position to stop the flanking strike, the second attack force comes right in the front door. Now not only are they flanked, they're fighting on two fronts and are disorganized.

Regarding rear attacks being better than being flanked, yes they certainly are. If that same group of hydras was somehow attacked from the rear...the lines would simply have to turn around and fire. The ranks are still maintained, the defensive position still has its advantage because the same number of hydras will be firing on an attack force as would be if the force attacked from in front.

Basically, flanking does two things: Its forces the enemy to fight in a position that is unfavorable to them, taking away or limiting the advantage of their defensive position. And it causes disorganization.

But these are all moot points though because EVERYONE knows the best way to defeat photon cannons is with siege tanks or guardians (aka, flying siege tanks)

At last, military tactics explained in concepts that I can understand!

Edit: Reavers are useful here as well...ahh hell, just go in with sixty hydras and watch them make short work of any # of photon cannons.

 

[Orsorum]

lol This is a hilarious thread to read. Nothing like learning military strategy from Starcraft.

 

[MrDudeMan]

ok you last 3 idiots dont need to quote pingspike to talk about his post. jeez.