March Mode too prohibitive?

[FelixCulpa]

Most of us appreciate the road situation in the Ardennes Offensive and it is an important factor to implement in a game of this battle. But is March Mode as implemented at the moment too prohibitive in the game?

. Movement action point cost is halved, but only on roads.
. Readiness cost for movement is doubled.
. Traffic footprint of movement is doubled.
. If a unit finds itself under fire it suffers serious penalties. See the
combat section.
. If a unit finds itself under fire it will switch to combat move
mode automatically.

It seems to me that most movement in the battle was by march mode, i.e., following the roads, particularly through the forests - where the actual difference between march and combat mode would be minimal due to lack of maneuvering room. Yet the game makes march mode so prohibitive most German player's would wonder why bother using this mode? Which in turn degrades the utility of ambush for the Americans.

I think the balance is not quite right here. The German player should be encouraged to use march mode as speed is a major consideration for this player. Perhaps through forests, march mode only.

Perhaps I have missed some detail in the rules that makes march mode viable and would be keen to hear your ideas on this subject.

thx

[billios65]

I agree, this mechanism needs refining. Like you say, most movement through dense forest was confined to roads as speed was essential for success of this operation. Perhaps the use of roads in game should be only possible when in march mode.

[Jagger2002]

Are you using the beta patch? There has been significant tweaking to the march mode. I personally think the march mode version within the patch is good.

[billios65]

I will load the Beta patch tomorrow thanks.

[FelixCulpa]

I do have the latest beta patch.

When you consider the effect of Intercept Fire and Ambush plus the Road Damage penalty on March Mode it makes it a no-brainer for the German player to assess this feature as a non-starter. It seems so prohibitive I think it has been designed this way to be ineffective for the German player. Maybe as the American player it is useful to mimic the Red Ball Express in the large scenario.

[Jagger2002]

I use march mode only in secure rear areas. If I feel there is even a chance of artillery hitting the column, I get out of march mode. Of course, you never know when you are going to run into a Grief team or some recently dropped paratroopers and that can be a mess.

[FlyingEagle]

I see it completely different. At least for the German side. There is a main reason to use march mode for movement to and behind the frontline: It saves those precious fuel reserves!

Of course in some smaller scenarios that doesn't really matters.