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-----
> From: Noel Weer [SMTP:nsweer@ice.net]
> Sent: Monday, November 13, 2000 8:53 PM
> To:	GZG Mailing List
> Subject:	[DS2] Close Assault question
> 
> I was wondering about close assaults and whether they need to be
carried
> out as a unit, or can single elements within a unit perform one while
> other elements take other actions (such as provide covering fire,
move,
> or retreat shielded by the assault)?
> 
> On page 18 it says "Different elements in the unit may choose
different
> options;..." Which makes tons of sense and provides excellent command
> flexibility. 
> 
> But every mention of close assault specifically discusses it in terms
of
> UNITS, so I am inclined to think that it is a not an elemental option.

> 
> But on page 34 close assaults are described as combat actions; "One
> CLOSE ASSAULT may be made by a Unit during its activation, counting as
> its Combat Action." As a combat action it may slip back into the realm
> of options to consider at an elemental level.
> 
> It is too late to address the specific instance that came up 2 days
ago,
> but for future reference: is Close Assault a special combat action
that
> functions only at the unit level, or can elements close assault
> individually?
> 
> This is my first post to the list - so if this is old news - be gentle
> :)
> 
> (FYI, we let my opponent carry out the assault. I held my ground and
> wiped out the charge.)
> 
> -- 
> The Middle Ages were a great time to be alive, 
> because if you weren't wiped out by the Plague 
> or impaled by some marauding barbarian, then yippee. 
>      "chocolate covered musings"
>      (http://www.amused.com/nick.html)