@Axis4life:
Art is an asset when you build a lot of INF and are pressing an attack. They are a solid purchase for Germany for sure and the UK. Russia has limited use for ART. After the first few rounds Russia is generally think of ways to stave off the incoming attacks, so why would you spend and extra IPC for a piece that offers no defensive advantage. So I guess I would say that ART are worth it if you are pressing attack, not so much for defending the homefront.
I have to disagree with this assessment somewhat. Because Russia has limited air power, I find it is useful for Russia to have a few artillery to deploy because it increases my odds of killing German (or Japanese) troops with minimal commitment of forces on my part. So, for example, if I attack Ukraine (with 2 German defenders) with 2 infantry and 1 fighter, my odds of taking Ukraine are only 58% versus nearly 70% (69.65% to be exact) if I attack with 1 infantry, 1 artillery and 1 fighter. That extra almost 12% odds means greater odds of taking the territory from Germany, gaining an extra 3 bucks in income and forcing the Krauts to take it back (with a 1 in 3 chance of killing another Kraut in the exchange). In any case, I would much rather lose 7 bucks worth of units trying to take a territory, even if not successful, than losing 8 bucks worth of units, especially when Russia needs those tanks later on for the defense of Moscow. I always buy tanks early and in later rounds. But in the middle rounds, artillery can be a good purchase for Russia, IMO.
