VBM Freezing a Fortified Building

[Arch71]

Hey Everyone, I did try searching for a response so apologies if this has already been raised (im sure it has somewhere).

This came up in our game last night, it made a big difference but we played it that as we couldn't find anything in the rules then it worked, can't change the result as we played it that way and finished the game but I still don't think this is valid.

We played 800 heroes and the poor Chinese are defending a fortified factory, the japs are attacking and they have 4 x shitty tanks, basically used to VBM freeze across the map which is fine (he lost 3 x tanks eventually this way), but it hurt hard when it came to the fortified building, having my squad locked up in CC by a VBM freeze meant he could simply approach and run around the building freely.

If VBM freezing a fortified building cannot be done, would you be so kind as to reference the rules so I know for future lookups


Cheers,
Steve

 

[klasmalmstrom]

If VBM freezing a fortified building cannot be done, would you be so kind as to reference the rules so I know for future lookups

There is no such exception in the Target Selection Limit rule, A7.212:

"A unit does not have the freedom to attack units in other Locations while its own Location is occupied by a Known enemy unit (even if disrupted) unless the only known enemy unit in its Location is an unarmed, unarmored vehicle..."

 

[Arch71]

Ahh thanks Klas, so we played that right.

 

[Doug Kirk]

If I recall the scenario properly, the proper use for those tanks in that scenario is to crash into the fortified building and create a breach so the infantry can follow up and enter. The freeze up is just a bonus.

 

[bprobst]

but it hurt hard when it came to the fortified building, having my squad locked up in CC by a VBM freeze meant he could simply approach and run around the building freely.

It's worse than you think; if the tank is stopped and the CC continues into a Melee, the defending infantry are no longer Good Order and can no longer prevent enemy infantry from entering (B23.922).

 

[Mister T]

It's worse than you think; if the tank is stopped and the CC continues into a Melee, the defending infantry are no longer Good Order and can no longer prevent enemy infantry from entering (B23.922).

Good catch, another -very- unsavory effect of VBM sleaze

 

[von Marwitz]

Good catch, another -very- unsavory effect of VBM sleaze

Well, but stopping in VBM in the hope of suviving CC is a risky proposition which might leave you with a dead tank and nothing to show for it.

von Marwitz

 

[bprobst]

Good catch, another -very- unsavory effect of VBM sleaze

Yes, who would have thought that being actively assaulted by enemy AFVs could be such an annoying experience?

As vM notes, it's not necessarily all fun-and-games for those assaulting AFV, though. It's all a trade-off of risks vs. gains.

 

[Philippe D.]

Yeah, even if you have Infantry ready to enter CC to protect the AFV, the risks are not negligible. I guess the biggest problem many players have with the tactic is that it's highly non-historical (though, overall, what you have in the situation I describe above is an AFV providing support to suppress fire from an enemy position for an Infantry assault).

 

[bprobst]

I've used the tactic many times in the history of my ASL games. It's been in the rules since 1985, that's over 30 years of history right there.

 

[mgmasl]

You may use an AFV with passenger/riders to get some protection vs CC

 

[Robin Reeve]

I've used the tactic many times in the history of my ASL games. It's been in the rules since 1985, that's over 30 years of history right there.

A fine tactic, which should be used for the best effects.
I keep away from the "historical" and "realism" arguments, which are very weak and mutually contradictory.
VBM freeze can be countered in different ways (I am looking forward to the announced article on that topic in Journal 12).
In late war situations, with SCW around (in particular facing PF toting Axis forces) VBM freeze becomes less interesting.
My focus is on dice rolls, hex grid terrain and cardboard toy soldiers.
History is quite in the far background when the game has started.

 

[GeorgeBates]

After you finish reading this thread, pick up ASL Journal 12 and read Peter Struif's fine article.