kzucker
11-26-2004, 04:38 PM
A Question, Answer, and Optional Rule
From: "Arnold Neumann"
Why would a Commander choose an Ordinary Order when an Attack order offers an option not available in the Ordinary Order? Commanders' units' which are under Attack Order MAY move from ZOC directly to the next enemy ZOC (something which cannot be done if the Commander has an Ordinary Order). This being said what advantage is there to having an Ordinary Order over an Attack Order? I don't see any advantage and so why would I issue the Ordinary Order and not just issue the Attack Order which gives me additional options? I am just wondering if I am missing something.....Thanks Arnold
Here is the existing text of the Orders Rule.
DEFINITIONS OF ORDERS
1. ATTACK:
Moving forces move normally and may enter enemy ZOCs. Units starting
their Movement Phase in an enemy ZOC may move directly to the next enemy
ZOC. Units of a formation given an attack order may not take a voluntary
retreat result.
2. ORDINARY:
Moving forces move normally. May enter enemy ZOCs. Must attack adjacent
enemy units. May not take voluntary retreat (except cavalry). May
advance after combat.
3. HOLD:
Moving forces move normally. They may not enter enemy ZOCs. Forces
given a Hold order are not required to attack adjacent enemy units. However,
if they attack, all enemies adjacent to attackers must be attacked. They
may not advance after combat, but may take a voluntary retreat result.
4. WITHDRAW:
Moving forces move normally. They may not enter enemy ZOCs. All units
which begin their Movement Phase in an enemy ZOC must take an automatic
retreat result during the ensuing Combat Phase. If they have no retreat
open to them, they attack normally instead.
5. MARCH (same as Campaign Game):
Moving forces must move by the shortest route (in terms of MPs) to a town
nominated as their objective. Units given the march order receive a
movement bonus of +1 MP per turn. They will continue moving toward the
objective without further orders in subsequent Game Turns. March Orders
are canceled if and when the units pass within three Movement Points of an
enemy unit. If in command, they may be given other orders or another
objective before reaching the objective. Upon reaching the objective they
may deploy anywhere within three hexes without a new order.
Answer:
As written, the only difference is the remaining ability of Cavalry to retreat before combat in an ORDINARY. I agree that the difference is slight, but it can sometimes be important.
Option: If you would like something more to chew on, try these:
a) ATTACK units could be impaired by taking away their normal ability to displace friendly units during the retreat.
b) And/or, the ATTACK Order could affect how you read the combat results table:
During each turn that the ATTACK Order is in effect the the corps increases the chances of a decisive result (one way or the other). ATTACK Order units may shift the combat odds one column to the right (a two to one attack becoming a three to one attack). This shift _is_ cumulative with other combat odds shifts if applicable.
However, if they do not achieve De or Dr in the ensuing combat result, THEN add one to the die as it stands. Example: 3-1 odds, Attacker rolls a 4; (Dr) Defender must retreat one hex. However, if Attacker rolled a 5 ("Ex") he would add one and must himself retreat. In this example, NO 5 result is possible.
From: "Arnold Neumann"
Why would a Commander choose an Ordinary Order when an Attack order offers an option not available in the Ordinary Order? Commanders' units' which are under Attack Order MAY move from ZOC directly to the next enemy ZOC (something which cannot be done if the Commander has an Ordinary Order). This being said what advantage is there to having an Ordinary Order over an Attack Order? I don't see any advantage and so why would I issue the Ordinary Order and not just issue the Attack Order which gives me additional options? I am just wondering if I am missing something.....Thanks Arnold
Here is the existing text of the Orders Rule.
DEFINITIONS OF ORDERS
1. ATTACK:
Moving forces move normally and may enter enemy ZOCs. Units starting
their Movement Phase in an enemy ZOC may move directly to the next enemy
ZOC. Units of a formation given an attack order may not take a voluntary
retreat result.
2. ORDINARY:
Moving forces move normally. May enter enemy ZOCs. Must attack adjacent
enemy units. May not take voluntary retreat (except cavalry). May
advance after combat.
3. HOLD:
Moving forces move normally. They may not enter enemy ZOCs. Forces
given a Hold order are not required to attack adjacent enemy units. However,
if they attack, all enemies adjacent to attackers must be attacked. They
may not advance after combat, but may take a voluntary retreat result.
4. WITHDRAW:
Moving forces move normally. They may not enter enemy ZOCs. All units
which begin their Movement Phase in an enemy ZOC must take an automatic
retreat result during the ensuing Combat Phase. If they have no retreat
open to them, they attack normally instead.
5. MARCH (same as Campaign Game):
Moving forces must move by the shortest route (in terms of MPs) to a town
nominated as their objective. Units given the march order receive a
movement bonus of +1 MP per turn. They will continue moving toward the
objective without further orders in subsequent Game Turns. March Orders
are canceled if and when the units pass within three Movement Points of an
enemy unit. If in command, they may be given other orders or another
objective before reaching the objective. Upon reaching the objective they
may deploy anywhere within three hexes without a new order.
Answer:
As written, the only difference is the remaining ability of Cavalry to retreat before combat in an ORDINARY. I agree that the difference is slight, but it can sometimes be important.
Option: If you would like something more to chew on, try these:
a) ATTACK units could be impaired by taking away their normal ability to displace friendly units during the retreat.
b) And/or, the ATTACK Order could affect how you read the combat results table:
During each turn that the ATTACK Order is in effect the the corps increases the chances of a decisive result (one way or the other). ATTACK Order units may shift the combat odds one column to the right (a two to one attack becoming a three to one attack). This shift _is_ cumulative with other combat odds shifts if applicable.
However, if they do not achieve De or Dr in the ensuing combat result, THEN add one to the die as it stands. Example: 3-1 odds, Attacker rolls a 4; (Dr) Defender must retreat one hex. However, if Attacker rolled a 5 ("Ex") he would add one and must himself retreat. In this example, NO 5 result is possible.