It's been a long time but Manoeuvre Group is getting back into the game, excuse the pun. We have put out Bulletin Number 2. This is a freebie available from the link below. It is mainly updates for the rules but has, hopefully, something of interest to a wider audience than just Manoeuvre Group players, particularly those interested in rule mechanics. It covers:-
• A revised logic for assessing forces in our close assault resolution (the final bit of a infantry attack where it gets close in and violent). It was originally a response to the complexity of WWII infantry weaponry, but we realised it was a better system and really simple to implement for all periods of the rules with no real impact of speed of play.
• Our thoughts and interpretations where we have changed some definitions in the command and control system. The changes speed up play and aligns the command and control system closer to the real world, particularly for some more modern IFV organisations.
• The introduction of a new rule to AFV gunnery to improve the accuracy of gunnery when engaging a number of targets in very close proximity. This, like, the real world make the probability of hitting a new target very close (approx 40m) to one you have already hit much higher. This change also discourages deployment of tanks track to track like infantry men on a parade ground, which looks stupid and is stupid in the real world, at our ground scale(s).
• Definition of desert movement to reflect that roads in the desert campaigns are in reality not that good, so the ability to fire accurately from un-stabilized guns on road is generally withdrawn.
• Re-definition of dead ground when using Hexon II terrain with either 1/300 or 1/144 scale forces. The changes improve the look and feel of the game without impacting the tactical implications of the dead ground. At 1/72 scale or larger scales we would not suggest these rules are adopted as it takes up more table space which is at a premium at these scales.
• One ERRATA on ammunition planning – only impacts the really keen players who do their own calculations on artillery planning on a round by round basis (even we aren't that sad most of the time). It's not used in an ordinary game.
link
The next set of Army lists for moderns – North American and Europeam Armies 1991 to 2000 is due out later this month, and needs the command and control update to get the forces behaving as intended. Obviously, even if you make your own army lists, you still need this change to get the best out of the game.
As always constructive criticism is welcome.
