On Mon, 08 January 2001, "Bell, Brian K (Contractor)" wrote:

> On Mon, 08 January 2001, "Bell, Brian K (Contractor)" wrote:

> I do like the concept of using fire teams, however.

I've been thinking about this myself. I'm not crazy about the idea of making a
squad into two fireteams simply by making two small squads. I think it
eliminates one level of command control and gives too much flexibility. You
could, for instance, split a squad up so both fireteams are on opposite sides
of the table. That seems a bit extreme.

So, I like your idea of representing fireteams as a subordinate structure
within a squad.

> Would both teams activate at the same time or at

Well, look at it from the point of view of activating a squad. The rules allow
you to spend to actions firing the squad, essentially firing as both
fireteams, but with the added option of being able to fire the entire squad at
once, if desired. So activating them simultaneously doesn't seem to be that
bad an idea.

Not allowing fire teams to detach might be a good idea, though I might allow
it for the purposes of having a single figure go off and do something (plant a
bomb, push a button, test a minefield, deliver a
message, etc...).

What you are proposing is similar to something I was thinking: treat fireteams
simply as detached portions of the squad, with all the rules
that entails, BUT with the squad leader able to give two actions -- not
just one -- to the portion of the squad that he's with.

This maintains the game as a "squad" game, and makes the squad leader an
important part of the chain. It makes the least amount of changes in the game
(i.e. no new rules needed). Squad integrity rules still apply, and if the
player wishes to recombine the squad for whatever reason, the rules are
already in place to handle it.

It also has the added bonus that if a fireteam gets too far away, a
communication roll is needed (okay, _I_ think this is a bonus, as it
encourages squads to stay together without forcing the issue).

The only question is whether or not the squad leader can participate in the
fire combat of the portion of the squad he is with. The simple answer is
"yes". The more complicated answer is "yes, if he wants the squad portion to
have one action, and no, if he wants the squad portion to have two actions
(which works out to being exactly the same as the current detached squad
rule)". I'm leaning towards the simple way, myself.