Matrix Games Forums

How do you get a port to come over to your control?

I assume you need to occupy two sides of the port to switch sides. But there are a few quirks to this in the game, and maybe it is just a bug. But the control of the port switches because a ship is forced to retreat in that direction. So then the port becomes mine in the retreat when before it wasn't.

Another oddity is you can have US and IJN both disputing control, and it can suddenly switch for no apparent reason.

I'm finding this in the Solomon's campaign specifically. And it happens often enough that I'm not sure if this is a bug or a game feature.

I tried searching "port" in the rules, but maybe there is a better way to search such a broad term. I also get reports, transports, etc in the search.

Any help would be aprreciated.

Worr, out

worr wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 5:48 pm But there are a few quirks to this in the game, and maybe it is just a bug.

Not a bug, more of a quirk or maybe a tradition considering how often the question comes up. Getting port control to flip in the Strategic Command series has been a bit idiosyncratic depending on the local geography and the proximity of the enemy. Sometimes it's just a matter of waiting one more turn for it to actually switch. Sometimes it's a matter of grabbing a few more nearby hexes. However, most of the time in the other games it's actually pretty straightforward which is what makes the quirky cases so frustrating. Frankly, a little unpredictability in a wargame may not be a bad thing considering how chaotic and unpredictable the real thing often is.

Platoonist wrote: ↑Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:09 am

worr wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 5:48 pm But there are a few quirks to this in the game, and maybe it is just a bug.

Not a bug, more of a quirk or maybe a tradition considering how often the question comes up. Getting port control to flip in the Strategic Command series has been a bit idiosyncratic depending on the local geography and the proximity of the enemy. Sometimes it's just a matter of waiting one more turn for it to actually switch. Sometimes it's a matter of grabbing a few more nearby hexes. However, most of the time in the other games it's actually pretty straightforward which is what makes the quirky cases so frustrating. Frankly, a little unpredictability in a wargame may not be a bad thing considering how chaotic and unpredictable the real thing often is.

Excellent explanation. I have finally grown a bit fond of the occasional quirky ownership issues with ports...and even find it a bit realistic.

Where is this covered in the rules?

Maybe there are some things to look for in this fog of war.

Thanks for all the help!

Worr, out

worr wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 2:59 pm Where is this covered in the rules?

It's not something you see explained in the rules manual. It's just something you bump into as you play the game. Which is why it has generated a fair number of questions over the years from puzzled players.

I've memorized a few of the port control quirks that can happen in the European games in the SC series. For example, depending on the circumstances taking the city of Antwerp doesn't always give you control of its port right away. But then Montgomery discovered the same unpleasant thing in 1944.