Commandos, Gliders, and Air Drops
Three more new features found only in Steel Panthers World at War make their debut. They are Commandos (Special Forces), Gliders, and Airdrops. When you now play scenarios or campaigns, these features may be included, depending on the scenario.
All three features work basically the same way. If the scenario includes gliders or airdrops, then as the battle begins, prior to turn one, gliders will come in and land.
These features work in the same way as pre-game artillery barrages or air attacks. If it is an airdrop, the transport aircraft will fly across the screen, dropping their human cargo in or near the designated drop zones.
Weather and enemy opposition can affect where these units will land. In some cases, they may continue off the map. If that occurs, these units are considered to have been dropped or to have landed out of the area of battle for this scenario. They will be unavailable.
If a glider hits a tree or a building, it will crash and transported casualties will occur. All landing units will be in varying states of suppression.
This is determined by their basic morale and skill values as well as just how close an enemy unit might be to them. Thus they may be ready for battle, or it may take a turn or two for them to become oriented and get down to business.
Commandos will appear at varying turns, usually on the enemy’s side of the map. They are Special Forces and have special skills at demolition tasks.
The scenario designer has predetermined their hex of entry and mention of their presence should be in the introductory text that accompanies the scenario.
These are marvelous new additions to the game. They enhance greatly the realism of the Steel Panthers series.
You will really enjoy watching parachutes blossom as the transport aircraft stream across the map.
Three more days!...Wild Bill
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Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
