From: Brian Bell <bkb@b...>
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 08:46:59 -0500
Subject: RE: [DS2] Close Assault question and other questions
Interesting! I have not seen this option (different set of actions for different elements as described on p. 18) used except where elements are unable to fire, so it becomes part of the unit doing fire and move and part of the unit just moving. I suppose that this could be read two different ways. In re-reading the combat section, Vehicle combat is refered to element by element. Infantry combat is always refers to a unit. So you could read it: 1) Vehicle elements may choose different actions as on p. 18, but Infantry units must act as a whole (as much as possible. Many specialist teams (elements) described on p. 13 may not conduct ranged combat). 2) Different elements of ANY unit may perform different actions as described on p. 18 (including close assault). The second option however, it does lead to some interesting situations: If a single element close-assaults a unit, that element attacking must make the same reaction test (RT) regardless to whether his is out numbered or not (i.e. same check if one element is attacking 6 elements or 6 elements are attacking 1 element. In the same way the defender makes the same confidence test (CT) regardless if it is one element attacking or 20. Each element in the same unit making a seperate close assault on a unit (increases chance the defending unit will retreat). A unit will often end up out of unit integrety after a close assault. Here are some additional questions: 1) Close Assault is described as a combat action, but it includes a move. The rules state that it must be done BEFORE a move. Can a unit that has performed a close assault move after the close assault (not including a followthrough action)? We have always played that a Close Assault takes both the move and combat action of a unit; but we could have been playing wrong. 2) If some of an armor unit is moving then firing and the other is firing then moving, would this be 2, 3, or 4 phases for the unit. It could makes a difference if elements are caught by opprotunity fire. Example: An armor unit consists of 2 AFVs with fixed mounted weapons (call it Type A) and 3 AFVs with full turrets (call it Type B). The player decideds to have the Type A units fire then move (only way for Type A to fire) and the Type B units to move then fire. Enemy unit X can call opprotunity fire on the unit as it moves. What is the proper sequence for the first unit: i) Type A fires while Type B moves; then Type B fires while Type A moves. (2 phases) If this is is used, op fire can only be called on Type A or Type B. ii) Type A fires then moves; then it fires; Type B moves; then fires (4 phases) Using this option, op fire can only be called on either Type A or Type B. iii) Type A fires; then both Type A and Type B move; then Type B fires. (3 phases) Using this option, op fire would be called on both Type A and Type B. 3) Since most people move one element at a time when moving miniatures, is opportunity fire called on an element as it moves or on the unit? I.e. Player A has 5 AFVs in a unit and player B has 5 AFVs in a unit. Player A moves one element and player B calls for op fire. Is only the first element in danger of op fire? Does each element that then crosses become open to op fire? Is the unit of player A brought in to unit integrety then op fire is applied? What if player B waits unit the 2nd element is being moved? Is the first element brought back into unit integrety? ----- Brian Bell bkb@beol.net http://www.ftsr.org/ds2/ ----- > -----Original Message----- > But on page 34 close assaults are described as combat actions; "One