Confusion concerning searching for Caves and the +2 DRM

[Jason Cameron]

I cite G1.63 and G11.33

1.63 CONCEALMENT: Japanese Infantry receive a -2 drm to their Concealment dr (A12.122). A Search dr (A12.152) made by the opponent of the Japanese receives a +2 drm unless the only Concealment Terrain he is attempting to Search is building/rubble (including woods-building/woods-rubble) terrain.

and

11.33 SEARCH & RECON: A Search successfully conducted vs a hidden Cave counter’s hex—even by a unit not in the cave’s CA—reveals all Cave counters in that hex and their contents as per A12.152. A Recon (E1.23) conducted vs a hidden Cave counter’s hex reveals all Cave counters in that hex but not their contents (11.3). Search/Recon cannot be used vs a Cave-Complex/its-contents. A cave does not invoke the +2 Search drm given in 1.63; i.e., it is not considered Concealment Terrain vs a Search.

My confusion is this: during a search, if I declare a search against the Japanese, how do I know whether to apply the +2 drm or not? For example, when I am searching a debris hex, I would normally add the +2 drm to my Search dr. However, G11.33 says not to do so as a cave is not considered Concealment terrain. Thus my confusion. It seems that I should always add the +2 drm unless searching buildings/rubble.

The exception disclosed in G11.33 is hard to understand because if caves are not considered Concealment terrain, then I SHOULD add the +2 drm.

Can anyone help me with this?

TIA Jason

 

[Doug Leslie]

if the cave is in a debris hex or any other kind of concealment terrain, you would add the +2 DRM. If it isn't in concealment terrain, the modifier doesn't apply. The rule is dealing with this kind of situation.



Both caves are HIP and the 666 makes a search dr. If it wants to search the jungle hex in I3, it will only be able to do so on a dr of 1-3. On a dr of 1, it can search the jungle hex and two other hexes. If it chooses H2, the cave there will be revealed. A dr of 2 will allow it to search the jungle hex and one other hex. Again, the H2 cave will be revealed if that hex is selected. If it doesn't select the jungle hex to search, it can search all the other hexes for caves normally ie a dr of 1 allows it to search the five adjacent non-jungle hexes, a dr of 2 allows it to search 4 etc.

The American player doesn't have to nominate which hexes the 666 will search until he makes the search dr. He can then decide which to go for depending on the result.