What size engagements should Decisive Action be used for?

[Don Maddox]

I've been reading over some material on the LOS (or lack thereof) capabilities of Decisive Action and how this effects gameplay. The game basically does not model LOS at all in the traditional wargame sense. Instead, units come into contact and fire on each other based on unit footprint. Of course, it does work a bit differently with long range support systems such as artillery, but those really fall into a completely separate category due to the manner in which DA models them.

Col Lunsford states in the manual that DA is capable of doing battalion or brigade-sized engagements, however, the results may not be good due to the lack of LOS. But what about on the other end of the spectrum? Can DA be used to model larger fights? Hasn't the unit limit now been increased?

[CPangracs]

I've reading over some material on the LOS (or lack thereof) capabilities of Decisive Action and how this effects gameplay. The game basically does not model LOS at all in the traditional wargame sense. Instead, units come into contact and fire on each other based on unit footprint. Of course, it does work a bit differently with long range support systems such as artillery, but those really fall into a completely separate category due to the manner in which DA models them.

Col Lunsford states in the manual that DA is capable of doing battalion or brigade-sized engagements, however, the results may not be good due to the lack of LOS. But what about on the other end of the spectrum? Can DA be used to model larger fights? Hasn't the unit limit now been increased?Yes, it already has. I was able to successfully model two wars in DA (Theatre-Level), and it was a complete success. I did have to divide the maps a bit, but it worked just fine.

The problem is when you have players who want to control every aspect of every engagement on the battlefield. For these types of players, DA is definitely NOT for them!!

[John Osborne]

On the subject of LOS. What is the purpose of the Blocking Elevations and Regular Elevations in the Terrain editor?

John

[CPangracs]

On the subject of LOS. What is the purpose of the Blocking Elevations and Regular Elevations in the Terrain editor?

JohnThe ONLY new terrain is "Blocked Lines of Influence" (a black dot in the terrain square). This does, in fact, block LOS between units, but if their footprints cross, they will engage. There is a difference between the distance units can acquire and engangement distance.

[John Osborne]

The ONLY new terrain is "Blocked Lines of Influence" (a black dot in the terrain square). This does, in fact, block LOS between units, but if their footprints cross, they will engage. There is a difference between the distance units can acquire and engangement distance.

Thanks Curt. Where can I see these "Blocked Lines of Influence"? I can't seem to find any information about them. Also attach is a screenshot of the Blocking Elevations and Regular Elevations in the Terrain Editor. So I take it that they don't do anything at all for the map.

John

[Don Maddox]

Yes, it already has. I was able to successfully model two wars in DA (Theatre-Level), and it was a complete success.

Do you know what the current unit limit is? I believe it was 100 before.

I did have to divide the maps a bit, but it worked just fine.

What exactly do you mean by this? Are you saying that you divided the battledfield up into separate "chunks" (separate scenarios in effect)?