Skirmishing

[Commander Cody]

I am new to this forum, and am getting my feet wet with Campaign Gettysburg. I have a question about skirmishing. I see it is easy to reconfigure a unit to skirmishers but what value does that give to me? Does it reduce the loss rate if the unit bumps into the enemy? I would think that if should extend the range of contact with the enemy, but that doesn't seem to happen. Does anyone see any value to this formation?

[Gary McClellan]

Ok, it does a few things.

First of all, if a unit is in terrain that limits visiblity to one hex (such as the woods) or it is night, it "extends" the view of the unit to two hexes, but only in the directions to the unit's front.
Also, that extended range will only show a "?" icon, instead of giving you full details on the enemy units.

It's mostly useful for to to see if there's someone out there trying to sneak up (or around) you.

Also, a unit that has skirmishers out will take less losses from enemy fire (though I don't recall how much). Once a unit is meleed (whether they start it, or the enemy) the skirms are automatically recalled.

Because it makes a unit less mobile, I tend only to use it at night or in the woods, for the extra visibility.

[KG_RangerBooBoo]

Doesn't it also increase the movement costs of enemy troops moving into hex your unit is facing?

[Gary McClellan]

I was thinking that when I was responding, but I couldn't remember for sure, so I I didn't say it... :cheeky:

So, between us, we MUST be right

[Commander Cody]

Thank you gentlemen! The use of it in the woods sounds quite useful.