Area target type

FlatPackFred

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What is the rationale behind the increase in the Area target type to hit number from "7" for 1-6 range and 7-12 range to "8" at 13-18 range?
 

Binchois

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I have always imagined it to be a game design to promote direct fire attacks at close range unless firing smoke (which receive +2 to the TH# from 0-12 hexes). If your Gun was actually a direct fire weapon, direct fire would be the likelier choice at close range (at least if you have a notion where the enemy is).

....just a hypothesis.
 

Paul M. Weir

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The AT implies a spraying of the location rather than an attempt to target tasty items. At close range it means the gun has to traverse and elevate/depress more than at medium to long range which could mean a less even spraying of the location.
 

klasmalmstrom

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Chapter C, Footnote 7:
"...The Basic To Hit Numbers are lowered at short range for three reasons. First, making them 9 at 0-12 hexes would result in mortars being too accurate at such range. Second, the closer an area is to a Gun shelling it, the more the Gun must be traversed in order to land shells throughout that area. This lowers its ROF and consequently its overall ability to affect that area. Third, with enemy units so close it is assumed that a Gun would usually aim at specific targets, so as to achieve maximum effect. The lowered close-range To Hit Numbers encourage use of the Infantry Target Type and thus simulates this tactic. "
 

Binchois

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Chapter C, Footnote 7:
"...The Basic To Hit Numbers are lowered at short range for three reasons. First, making them 9 at 0-12 hexes would result in mortars being too accurate at such range. Second, the closer an area is to a Gun shelling it, the more the Gun must be traversed in order to land shells throughout that area. This lowers its ROF and consequently its overall ability to affect that area. Third, with enemy units so close it is assumed that a Gun would usually aim at specific targets, so as to achieve maximum effect. The lowered close-range To Hit Numbers encourage use of the Infantry Target Type and thus simulates this tactic. "
Really Klas? A footnote citation!?

That's just cheating! ;)
 

jrv

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For most weapons that use the Area Target Type, the reality is that the TH# is 7 out to 24 hexes. What uses the ATT most at shorter ranges? Rhetorical question: Mortars. What is the barrel length for most MTRs? They are ✻-Guns. That modifies the TH# by -1 for ranges 13+. So the TH# out to 24 hexes is effectively 7. Some exceptions: the Soviet 50mm MTR, which loses an extra one at ranges > 12 due to its small caliber; the American 107mm MTR, which is not a ✻-Guns. Fortunately the American 107mm MTR is never used in scenarios.

JR
 

Eagle4ty

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For most weapons that use the Area Target Type, the reality is that the TH# is 7 out to 24 hexes. What uses the ATT most at shorter ranges? Rhetorical question: Mortars. What is the barrel length for most MTRs? They are ✻-Guns. That modifies the TH# by -1 for ranges 13+. So the TH# out to 24 hexes is effectively 7. Some exceptions: the Soviet 50mm MTR, which loses an extra one at ranges > 12 due to its small caliber; the American 107mm MTR, which is not a ✻-Guns. Fortunately the American 107mm MTR is never used in scenarios.

JR
AH! the Four Deuce mortar (107) is used in one of "Fort's" scenarios from the Road To Rome pack at least! It is a neat weapon to fire but a little complicated but quite accurate and like the 120+mm mortars the ammo humpers must be some studly muffins while the system itself is not what I would call "man-portable". Originally designed for use as a chemical mortar, its primary use in WW-II and after was to put down WP or illum fires. It was a solid design and continued in use for the US Army (at least) until the early 1990's as a Bn mortar asset and is currently in service with several other countries today. Its biggest limitation was its max range, a little short for the caliber of ammo and usage but its HE round carried a whallop, effectively similar to that of the longer ranged 120mm Mtr (ASLRB & Tables not-with-standing). As you may discern, I'm a little biased and carry a soft spot in my heart for it.?
 

jrv

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its HE round carried a whallop, effectively similar to that of the longer ranged 120mm Mtr (ASLRB & Tables not-with-standing)
Per American Ordnance note 4, "This MTR fired an exceptionally potent round for its caliber; therefore its Area Target FP is "12" (rather than"8")." Are you one of those heretics that doubts the literal truth of the ASLRB?

JR
 

FlatPackFred

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Thank you all for a clear answer to my question and an interesting side story on the the 107mm American mortar - the many authors and contributors to the ASLRB (plus the vehicle and ordnance notes) also get a wholehearted well done and thank you from me.
 
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