Supply in PzC & MC

[Pirimeister]

Can some good soul explain to this TOAW-minded player why, in both PzC and MC, is the supply level the same wether I'm close to the map edge and to the supply source or as forward as I can deploy?

I ask this because I'm yet not at ease with how supply works in these two series, despite having read the manuals more than a couple of times and Glenn's article about the evolution of the supply model in the PzC Games. The problem is that I can't help but keep looking at it with my "TOAW-eyes" (and, to a smaller extent, with my "Napoleonic Campaigns-eyes", where you just have to watch for those wagons).

In TOAW, the local supply value would decrease with every advance made by the units, and by looking at the supply numbers in a given hex you would be able to antecipate the condition of the units fighting in that hex/area. And recovering wouldn't be so dependent of how close/far you were from your HQ (at least to a certain extent)

But this thick skull of mine is having some trouble in understanding the subtlties of this supply model. I'm not really able to antecipate, or even to "guestimate", when will my units be out of ammo, for instance.

To make it easier to the braves that might volunteer, I'll tell you what I know. I understand the relationship of proximity with HQ units and how it facilitates (or not) re-supply, and of course I understand how terrain affects supply. But thats about it.

Thanks in advance!

[Glenn Saunders]

> in both PzC and MC, is the supply level the same wether I'm close to the map edge and to the supply source or as forward as I can deploy?

In Basic Supply - the Supply Value (a percentage) is assigned to the Scn and all hexes that can trace a line of hexes to the Edge have that supply level - very basic, little consideration for supply for players new to wargames - can't recall when I've used it last - but I supplose in scns with small maps it is not much different.

The most popular models is VST or Virtual Supply Trucks. Using this model, Supply sources are placed usually (but not exclusively) on the map edge and supply is traced from this source areas where the costs is measured in Motorized Movement points - so supply along a Major road will not degrade as much as over open ground with no road and certainly not as much as it would degrade moving through a wooded area.

Exp Supply is different again and I think beyond the scope of your question.

So, to answer the question, using VST Supply Rules, the further for the map edge supply sources, the lower the local supply values - yes.

[dannybou]

> in both PzC and MC, is the supply level the same wether I'm close to the map edge and to the supply source or as forward as I can deploy?

In Basic Supply - the Supply Value (a percentage) is assigned to the Scn and all hexes that can trace a line of hexes to the Edge have that supply level - very basic, little consideration for supply for players new to wargames - can't recall when I've used it last - but I supplose in scns with small maps it is not much different.

The most popular models is VST or Virtual Supply Trucks. Using this model, Supply sources are placed usually (but not exclusively) on the map edge and supply is traced from this source areas where the costs is measured in Motorized Movement points - so supply along a Major road will not degrade as much as over open ground with no road and certainly not as much as it would degrade moving through a wooded area.

Exp Supply is different again and I think beyond the scope of your question.

So, to answer the question, using VST Supply Rules, the further for the map edge supply sources, the lower the local supply values - yes.
Learned something new again today.

[Glenn Saunders]

At the start of your turn, try picking the setting

VIEW | Local Supply Values

It will should you the resupply value on every hex. As an example, I just opened the STARTED Scn in Alamein. h basic Supply values are seen in the HEX AREA info under the Visiblity. In this case it is 75/75 or 75 for each side.

In Basic Supply, turning ON the "VIEW | Local Supply Values" and white 75 appears on each units at the start of the turn.

Now if you close the game and restart the scn turning on the VST rules you see the only units with 75 are those that are ON the Supply Sources - and unit even one hex away is a 74 and the further you go the more the supply degrades.

On smaller scn with small maps it won't make a lot of difference but in an Alamein CG where the coast road is VITAL to delievering supply, the Allied Player can cause some trouble by putting a LONG RANGE DESERT PATROL unit on the road somewhere and so a German player is forced to partrol the road even in games where there is VST Supply (not Exp Supply) being used.

Glenn

[Pirimeister]

Thanks for those tips, Glenn. I'm going to experiment with some scenarios to see if I understood your explanation correctly. I think I did, but with me you never know. ;)

Cheers!