Flanking, Enveloping and Encircling

[GeorgeCostanza]

Hi

Does the FCSS engine have any functionality that simulates the affect of flank attacks, enveloping attacks or encirclement?

I know that for example if I hit an enemy unit from behind or from all angles, it's of course going to receive a higher volume of fire but is there any actual readiness/morale hit in the game engine?

I know that unit resupply and LOC is abstracted and impossible to cut in any way for the purposes of deny resupply, but I was wondering if there was any gameplay reason at all to try and outmaneuver units as opposed to always trying to outgun them

[SgtZdog]

Taking additional fire and potentially being outnumbered by such a situation will result in higher readiness/morale penalties, but there is nothing specific to the geometry of the situation. It is worth noting that unspotted units will often get shots on side armor and when in the same hex potentially even top or rear armor. Encircling can also be a way to continue to put fire on the enemy even as they withdraw. Forcing a unit to relocate from a town hex into the open area behind it might allow you to continue fire if you have encircling units to prevent the enemy from hiding in the town's shadow. And of course if you're encircling you're less likely to lose entire groups upon getting spotted as your troops are more spread out. As with all things though, it is circumstantial. Sometimes you might be forced into a relatively narrow approach due to terrain limitations or an inability to provide adequate supporting fire over a broader front.

[CapnDarwin]

To add a few things to Kevin's comments, Facing, in general, is abstracted to a great degree in the game. We do account for the initial "surprise shots" to have a chance to hit the flank armor of distant units, but if it's from spotted units (even on multiple vectors), we assume the frontal aspect of the fires. We are talking internally about adding better resolution to the multiple vectors/direction of effort situation. Still, it will be next year at the earliest, as we currently have other features/models to deal with.

[GeorgeCostanza]

Thanks for your answers guys, much appreciated!