Help me re-learn how to play

[enthrop]

So I quit/left the game back in September last year, and just came back yesterday. I was still using what I now know is an "old" combo of British shooters/artillery, and finding it not very effective. The problem was that I would just run out of time before I could take out all defensive buildings, which meant that I had to retrain my whole army from scratch every time.

I've been experimenting with different combos now, but each combo takes ~3 hours to try because I lose all my troops and have to retrain everything again. Especially fighters.. that's really the "long pole in the tent." So while I'm sitting here waiting for all my troops to retrain AGAIN, I figured I'll make a post and ask.

I have two accounts, but want to focus on my higher one first, before I ask about my lower (the difference being one in AA has access to more factory troops, while my IA one does not).

AA one: I actually only recently hit AA before I had quit, so many AA troops are still either not upgraded, or not available. In terms of factory troops, I have Heavy Gatling guns, saboteur's, HT MK3, Elite Bazooka, Armored Car MK3, APC, and Tactical Helicopter.

I tried a combo just now of 2 Saboteur's, several HTs, and 1 Tactical Helicopter... not sure the helicopter is really benefiting much. And probably because I'm still getting use to the combo, but my saboteur's don't last very long, and my planes get shot down pretty fast when I try to target either anti-tank guns, or enemy units to help clear the playing field. I'm sure I can optimize my play a little more (as I've only tried this combo twice), but I'm not even sure if this is the right combo.

So... I'm training another patch of troops now that replaces the HT & Helicopter w/ some Bazookas... see how that works. And... I'll have to try more later.

But, any tips? Oh, and what medal range might work best for a new-to-AA age? I was 1600 when I left, so that's what I"m fighting now.. but I'm thinking I should drop for easier bases.

 

[KniferX]

Drop down dramatically, to 400-600. Defeating bases without mass use of tactics and mercs in any higher medal range (like the one you are in) is hopeless without strong planes and HTs. Missile silo and the rebalance made sure of that.

Drop medals, skip bases and attack the easy ones until you finish upgrades. Your old composition should work on the joke Global bases in low medals. If you're not having luck in that either, then switch to raiders/infantry and raid up until you get some upgrades going. HTs don't become much useful until their library research is finished and they are at least mk4, then you don't have to babysit them that much on the easier Global bases.

Also, the HT combo I found most effective with 155 troop space is 6 HTs, 2 bazookas, 3 infantry. 2 sabotage, 1 decoy to react if planes get into trouble, 3 first aid to heal HTs.

 

[Manifesto]

What KniferX said.
Use AA to hone your skills for CW. If you're planning to get there, that's where the game becomes more fun.
If you want to try a mixed combo instead of the proven HT army, experiment with helicopters. (thanks wrathchild_78 ). You might be pleasantly surprised at their effectiveness. They're the new tank.
Just make sure you keep your planes handy as helis are vulnerable to defending foot troops/tanks. Use planes to protect them and helis will eliminate defenses, while the rest of your combo mops up.
Bazookas have received some nice boosts lately, and 3 or more make a good combination in a mixed army. Be careful not to have too much of a mixed army, like your original combo. And yes, get rid of the tactical heli, unless you want to complete the latest 'healing' event.

 

[_Flash_]

Agree with the advice given above to help you with the immediate recovery of having to get the resources for your upgrades.

If you would like to keep things simple, and would like to prepare for the long haul, focus on just upgrading your Heavy Tanks and completing the associated library researches. It'll be painful while you do that, but, once you complete it, you'd be surprised at the simplicity of keeping things going.
You'll not have to worry about attacking lower level bases with MS in MP battles, and when you age up to CWA, you'll have to upgrade the factory twice and the HTs twice, and you should be good to go, instead of having to worry about a lot of upgrades to adapt to the new age to keep your MP battles going.
Of course, you'll need to upgrade your planes and the First Aid tactic to support your composition, but, nothing too complicated.

 

[dfwdragon]

I find 3 HT MK3, 6 Veteran Commandos, 2 Heavy Supply Trucks, 1 Heavy Zooks and 2 infantry a pretty good combo without using any tactics for raiding. I have 4 fighter planes covering the commandos. I am at level 216 Global Age and have all my troops max'd, except for generals.

Try different combos until you find the one you like and works for your attack style.