This post covers how units move.
Units move at varying speeds over different types of terrain. While it’s possible to calculate how far a platoon of tanks would move over firm, level ground under normal conditions, in the middle of a battle movement is far more uncertain. The ground may be softer than it looks or covered in rocks. Also, units move as fast as they consider appropriate. A tank platoon could cross the ground at full speed, but it runs the risk of some of its vehicles throwing their tracks or failing to spot enemy units. As Battle Commander, you can order units to their destination, but you can’t accurately predict when they’ll get there. If you want your units to move quickly, give them a double or triple move order.
Fixed and Variable Moves
How far a unit can move is a combination of its Fixed and Variable Move distances. When calculating movement add the Variable Move to the Fixed Move.
Average vehicles move 6+1D” for a move of 7–12”.
Fast vehicles move 6+Dx2”. Roll a dice and double the result before adding it to the Fixed Move of 6” for a move of 8–18”.
Command Groups: A Command Group moves at the speed of its slowest unit. For example, fast vehicles moving with average vehicles move at the average speed of 6+1D”.
Suppressed Units: Move at their Variable Move rate only.
For example, Max’s Panther platoon is suppressed. He activates it and moves it 1D”. If he had issued a Remove Unit Suppression order before he could have moved it 6+1D”.
Multiple Moves
When using a Dice Chain, total the Fixed Move distances and then roll the Variable Move dice. Average vehicles moving with a Double Dice Chain move 12” (6”+6”) plus the results of 2D”, for a movement distance of 14–24”. Fast vehicles moving with a Triple Dice Chain move 18” (6”+6”+6”) plus the results of 3Dx2” for a movement distance of 24–54”.
A Dice Chain is allocated before dice are rolled for movement. You cannot wait to see how far a unit moves and then allocate more dice to it.
Movement Orders
A unit may move as part of an activated Command Group, but it’s not required to move when other units in the Command Group move.
For example, a Panther tank has been activated along with three Panzer IVs. The player decides that the Panther will remain stationary and fire at a M4 platoon before the Panzer IVs move.
To issue a movement order indicate which units are moving and how many Command Dice dice being used. You then move the Command Dice to the intended destination. For example, “the Panthers will move up to the edge of these woods.” You can also nominate a specific point on the table and declare that your units are heading there. “The Panzer IVs are moving up to here.”
Once you have declared your movement orders, the units move the full rolled distance towards their objective. The units halt upon reaching their destination regardless of any excess movement remaining. You cannot decide to move somewhere else or not move at all if you don’t like the results of the Variable Move.
Command Group units that move must end their move within 6” of each other. You cannot activate a Command Group and have its units move in different directions.
Movement orders are only in effect for the current turn.
Moving and Firing
Units may make a single move and fire with no penalty. If they use a Double Dice Chain, they fire with a -1D penalty, and if they use Triple Dice Chain they fire with a -2D penalty. For example, a Panzer IV has 8D AT. If it makes a double move this is reduced by -1D to 7D, and to 6D if it makes a triple move.
Moving and Facing
A unit faces the direction it moves in. When using opportunity fire, your opponent may be able to fire at the side or rear of your unit depending on the direction it faces during its move. A unit may change direction and facing any number of times to get to its destination. Once at its destination it may face in any direction desired.
The Panzer IV has been ordered to move from the south of the wood to the north. It is currently facing east. The German player rolls his movement dice 6+1D” for a total move of 11”. More than enough to reach its destination. The Panzer IV first turns to face north and then moves 5” to the edge of the wood. It then faces north-east and moves 3” to its destination. The German player now changes the Panzer IV’s facing from North-east to North.
Sideways and Backwards Movement
Vehicles move backwards at their Variable Move. They cannot move sideways without changing their facing.
A Multiple Dice Chain cannot be used to move backwards without changing a unit’s facing, you have to change its facing before moving.
Next Post
Terrain and its effects on Movement are covered in the next post.
