Footbases assaulting from transports

[Moggy]

Due to the way V 84 is written each vehicle and its traveling bases have to be completed before the next vehicle is started. As I understand it the process is thus:

1 Vehicle moves to square adjacent to target
Possible opportunity fire
Debuss 4 bases
Possible opportunity fire
Vehicle leaves
Possible opportunity fire
4 bases assault (separate sequence not included here – assuming defender wins)
Second vehicle moves to square adjacent to target
Possible opportunity fire
Debuss 4 bases
Possible opportunity fire
Vehicle leaves
Possible opportunity fire
4 bases assault
(Yes, within this sequence there would only be 1 opportunity fire at some point during the sequence)

I feel this is both unfair and unrealistic. A platoon moving up in their vehicles to assault would not have tried to go in vehicle by vehicle but what have advanced together.

What I propose is that if troops being carried in vehicles starting in the same square are to assault the owning player may declare he is doing this with the platoon and move them at the same time. Outside of this instance I agree with what is written.

In this circumstance the flow through would be:

Both vehicles are moved to the adjacent square
Possible opportunity fire
Both debuss
Possible opportunity fire (now 10 targets in square so VERY crowded)
Vehicles leave
Possible opportunity fire (8 targets in square)
Assault process starts.
I would find this a more realistic solution to the problem and not too difficult to implement. That's unless I have read v 84 wrong.

Derek

[John Watson]

The only advantage of moving next to target is 1AP saved. There is no short assault bonus from vehicles. So stop one square away and then opportunity shooting is reduced.
My memory of fighting against motorised infantry is that there were 3 loaded half tracks in one square and they all moved together and debased together. As they were grouped they had a preroll of their AP dice. But the rules may have been changed at some point.
John

[Moggy]

v84 says you have to complete the AP for each vehicle and then its mounted bases before moving to the next. By this it makes it impossible to move more than 4 bases of foot into an assault unless you wait till the next turn.

Derek

[John Watson]

That may have changed since I last played against vehicles then, and puts your concerns into focus.
John

[martin goddard]

A platoon in 3 vehicles will now have to do things vehicle by vehicle.
This will mean that a transport mounted  platoon will not be able to mount a single concerted assault.


I don't want a transport platoon to  move 3 or 4 squares forward all get out in unison and launch a massive platoon sized assault. This would allow them to hit most parts of the table in turn 1. The effect would be similar to a missile that comes from nowhere (attacker sets up after defender) and smashes into the defender's line.
Such "missile" type assaults could punch 3 holes in the defender's line before the defender gets any chance to react.


A transport platoon should move up, dismount, form up and then assault the next turn.

martin

[John Watson]

Got it. That all makes sense now. Thanks Martin.
John

[Colonel Kilgore]

Again, this kind of "design note" explaining the rule philosophy is most helpful. Thanks Martin!

Simon

[Moggy]

yep, thanks Martin

[martin goddard]

Needs a bucket of testing.

martin

[Sean Clark]

I can manage half a cup full.

[martin goddard]

PBI 2020 has been years in the making, due to CK and Covid.
This means that PBI 2020 is very different to the previous PBI but those changes have been in use by us for so long that they do not seem so new.



martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I think that transports have been a neglected aspect of many players' approach to PBI (not least because more models are required to be painted - I plead guilty...), which are now getting the attention they deserve.

Simon

[Moggy]

So would this be the same for tank riders assaulting from the tank. 1 tank at the time?

Derek

[martin goddard]

Tank riders are in the optional rules area at the moment. This means they will get some attention after the main rules. I don't want to base tank riders on anything that is still under play review.

It will get done at some point as an additional optional rule, not part of the main game.


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Thanks Martin - that makes a lot of sense all round.

Simon