Empires in Arms is the computer version of Australian Design Group classic board game. Empires in Arms is a seven player game of grand strategy set during the Napoleonic period of 1805-1815. The unit scale is corps level with full diplomatic options
Originally posted by pfnognoff Yes, it is in a sea area, but it's more of a type of duty ships are doing. Those in a blockade box have their mission to stop ships coming in or out of port. Fleet with a depot on it represents ships travelling back and forth from the supply source to keep corps supplied.
my 2c
I see the point -- but in the case of a fleet in a SZ as opposed to a blockade box, there are already a few "negatives" to offset the automatic interception, whereas fleets in a SZ still have a decent chance of intercepting within that SZ. So I'm not sure that, in and of itself, is compelling.
p.s. I added a rule citation in the other thread on this. There is a rule cite that appears to include blockade box in the general category of "sea area". If that is the case (here is where we can ask Rowland), then a depot can go on a blockading fleet.
What is your interpretation?
Is it possible to use a fleet counter to transport a corps for invasion and in the land phase place a depot on that fleet for invasion supply? I think not, but are the rules specific on the point? Isn't the sequence of play that depots are created and removed before the land movement phase and that the corps is then still occopying the fleet?
The rules do not expressly prohibit feeding a corps that is disembarking -- in fact they expressly permit it.
In order to do so, since a corps by the rules MUST disembark in the turn it is transported, the fleet must be able to build a depot in that same turn (if they are to feed "disembarking" corps). Otherwise you would need a totally separate stack to act as the "Supply Train" (which I do not think is the case).
7.3.5 LANDING FROM SHIPS-DISEMBARKING - "....When disembarking from fleets located in a blockade box, corps must land in the area containing that blockade box's port."
ERRATA: If an area contains a friendly beseiged port, counters (corps and depots****words added by me) may be disembarked directly into the port (if there is room) or into the port's area as the controlling player desires.
Seems clear: Fleets in boxes - disembark into port area (not port unless errata applies)
Fleets in ports - disembark into port city (must be friendly+controlled. Not area unless errata applies)
Fleets at sea - disembark into any adjacent area (Not port unless errata applies in that area.)
I think it's important because the corps "..Exhausts its ENTIRE movement allowance FOR ALL PURPOSES." so it won't move from area to port city and vice-versa!
As to the combat question after debarking from ships. I would say as long as 7.5.2.7.1 is followed, a corps can "retreat" after losing a combat the same as any other corps entering a battle. You don't "retreat" back onto the fleets - there is no "evacuation rule."
7.5.2.10.3.4: Retreat across a crossing arrow or onto ships is not permitted.
On the issue of leadership mods to artillery fire. If mods were to be applied, I assume they would be mentioned in 12.3.5. No mods are mentioned - no mods applied (other than no bombardment in marsh).
Leader mods that "might apply" could be considered in effect during the regular combat when the artillery corps are used just as "SP's" in the battle. I assume ALL inherent artillery is used in this way since "gun SP's" aren't available to other Major Powers who certainly had cannon.
These two corps, IMHO, represent the Imperial Guard guns of France (Often used seperately from the IG Corps as a sort of Artillery reserve) and the large artillery reserve formations of the Czar's "big guns," the "grand batteries."
While other countires had artillery formations they were almost always attached as corps/division assests and when some were not (such as the English at Waterloo), these formations never approached the numbers, caliber or skill of the gunners of the French IG or the Russian Grand Batteries.
So ALL cannon are considered and "modified" in regular combat by the leadership. It's only the case of the two "special formations" of artillery that get an "extra bombardment" per round on table 5-5 for casualties but do get leader mods when used in regular combat.
Just my spin on it. Cavalry mods - same rational.
EDIT: I don't believe depots can be used on fleets in a blockade box because a blockade box is not a sea area for purposes of tracing sea supply. Sea supply is traced through "sea areas" and must be present to create the depot (though it can't be used for sea supply - only depots in ports can). Therefore the fleets must be in the sea area and not in a blockade box which is a special mission for fleets on the blockade duty - they are not 'running supply.'
Note the rules are specific between "sea areas" and "blockade boxes." They are not the same any more than a city in an area is the same as the "area." Remember, there is no double duty. cities, areas, and depots in areas are separate entities like sea areas, port cities, blockade boxes.
As to when the depots are created?, All are created in the depot creation phase so the player better plan ahead for the units debarking in the Land Movement Step. See 7.3.5. No need to forage if the unit is adjacent to an invasion supply depot (which is in the sea area). So you place the invasion depot in the creation phase and land without foraging in the Land movement phase.
See 12.2.3.2 "and/or contain a depot." Implies to me that a separate fleet IS NOT REQUIRED for a depot. The fleet carrying troops can also carry a depot, or there could be extras - a smart move if you expect opposition. In effect, depots don't cost fleet capacity but rather represents the ability of the ships to "convoy" supply during the month.
