River attack penalty

[Conao]

Hi,

I read somewhere that a unit attacking from a river hex suffers penalties when attacking a unit adjacent to but not river hex. My questions:

1. Is this correct?
2. Is this penalty still valid when there is also a road in this hex (bridge)?

I want to know if it is enough to set my defense adjacent to the river or if I must blow the bridges too to force the attack to get penalties...

[Southern Dandy]

Hi there....

I'm sure others will come along and answer this as well, and probably explain things a bit more clearly than I. Having said that...

Question number one, the answer is yes. A unit attacking from a river hex has a modifier of 0.7 multiplied by its attack strength (in effect, it takes a 30% reduction in capabilities).

Question number two, I also believe the answer to be yes. I'd have to create and run a test to verify it, but I'm pretty sure the multiplier is still in effect.

GENERALLY speaking, your best bet when setting defensive lines is to be adjacent to the river. Ideally, it's a super-river as that can really limit attack options and make the defense easier. If you're retreating across that river in doing so, definitely blow the bridges behind you...the attacker will expend more movement points in crossing the river and the lack of a bridge will hamper re-supply for any units that force a bridgehead.

There are many specific instances in which the advice in the above paragraph will not apply to the situation you face....just thought I'd warn you!

John