"Do any Rapid Fire players not use the 4" circle of death?" Topic

Just wondering. It isn't used in Rapid Fire for Rookies. Would it make a big difference if the 4" target circle was not used in Rapid Fire II? Have any players tried it?
Thanks for any input or advice.

Generally speaking no, as most targeted formations are dispersed already. If there is large grouping particularly of infantry, then I would suggest the 4" circle is used.
It really depends on how packed is your game table with figures.

While I have a few in clear plastic rarely used. You can usually eyeball it.

We just eyeball it as well.

Joe Collins

Thanks for your answers and help. My thoughts were along the line of,for example, a company of infantry firing on a company of his opponent's. Dispensing totally with the 4" target radius completely. Lets say two casualties are inflicted anywhere on the opposing unit. Or a deployed MG firing against a company and inflicting casualties produced by the die roll, inflicting on the entire target unit, not just 4" centered around a single figure. Not sure how clear this example was, but I hope it clarified my question.

thanks again

Sam

I guess part of the issue is Rapid Fire usually doesnt fire by set unit size (a company for instance)but by "firing elements". They can be figures, up to 12, with each figure being no more than 1 inch from another figure to be counted in that group. This would be a small arms firing group. It can also be a deployed gun or a support weapon. There is of course a limit of 5 small arms firing groups in any one battalion. This, along with the "circle of death" presents the players with several issues. Do you cluster your figures together to increase their firepower and not have to worry about number of firing units or do you disperse your figures mindful of the firing group limit? In the first case you risk maximum casualties but in the second you minimize your own firepower.

Further you have range considerations. If you can only range the end of a line then only that figure and any within 2 inches of it are possible casualties. The problem in firing on the "target unit" is how you define them. What happens with two units are near each other? Remember the circle is used as the blast radius for artillery. You hit the end of a line of a company, firing unit, whatever. Should you take all the casualties from that one unit when the blast radius covers more than one unit? If they are from different battalions then has very real consequences on morale.

Personally I like the circle as it gives players a reason to disperse their units without forcing them to do so. It also imposes possible greater casualties in situations where denser formations were called for. And finally it is simple and seems to work :)

Marc,
thanks a ton! That explanation covered it all and then some and made sense for a senior citizen. Thanks again!

Sam

Sam;

Seniors helping seniors!

If you want to discuss RF feel free to contact me at marc33594 AT yahoo DOT com