So confused about recon and spotting

[Antmf_slith]

Read manual but oh boy I still don't get it and please let me explain.

I have a unit in a hex that shows I have a recon of 64. The hex next to me shows an enemy with a ? but that hex hide is 32. So from my understanding the recon minus the hide is 32 but still cant get an ID on the enemy. Why is that I though 20 or more will specify what the unit is?

Furthermore, I move to a hex with same scenario and the hex next to me with the same hide value shows no enemy. I go to move into said hex and bam I get fired on due to the enemy being there. Why didn't I even detect said enemy if I have more than 20 recon points over the hide stat in that hex? please explain...

[Antmf_slith]

P.S. Is it the hide in the hex you are targeting vs your unit's recon or is it recon and hide in the hex you are targeting that will tell if there is a unit there or not?

[Goodenough]

My "feeling" is that it takes a recon of at least 50 to see what's in a hex. It can be very difficult to see if/what is right next to you, especially when it's night, foggy and in heavy terrain (Cities/Heavy woods)

If you can see a ? thgen use your HQ recon card on a unit next to it, that may show what's there, or attack recon/recon in force. That may still not show what's there, so move more units up and surround it if you can.

It can be frustrating but I find it one of the best features of the game. My reading of the battle was that it was extremely confusing as to what each side was up against.

I'm not sure but when you attack a ? the odds shown are more often a good guide as to what's there than not. Doesn't stop you getting a bloody nose sometimes but if you need to take the position it might be worth an attack.

[Jagger2002]

If you really need to know what is in the hex, try a probe or recon in force. That will usually give you good recce information at little cost. However you do burn action points which reduces additional actions for that unit.

On page 72 of the manual, it lists the number of recon points required for different levels of recon intelligence. Off the top of my head, you increase recon points through additional units with LOS on hex, recon attacks, recon cards and air recon.

[iDachs]

ORIGINAL: Antmf_slith

I have a unit in a hex that shows I have a recon of 64. The hex next to me shows an enemy with a ? but that hex hide is 32. So from my understanding the recon minus the hide is 32 but still cant get an ID on the enemy. Why is that I though 20 or more will specify what the unit is?

The effective recon points minus the hide points needs to be 80 or higher for you to obtain full information on a unit. Between 20 -79 you only get partial info. You get a name and guess to the troops/stats. The higher the score, the more accurate the guess.