Movement questions

War in Spain 1936-39 is the first in a new wargame series, using a new Land-Sea-Air engine inspired by War in the Pacific - Admiral’s Edition. Gameplay and realism are improved by TRUE AI and a detailed Logistics systems. A hyper detailed OOB reaches down to battalion and company level. A beautiful, hand drawn, 5 nautical mile per hex map massively increases player immersion.

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marek1978
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Movement questions

Post by marek1978 »

I am trying to understand some aspects of moving Land Combat Units (LCUs) around.

If I am moving my unit from one hex neighbouring an enemy unit to another hex neighbouring an enemy unit, is my unit somehow influenced by their zone of control? Or does it depend on the border of the hex they control? And if they control the border of the hex, does it slow my unit down?

What is the best stance for manoeuvring units around the enemy? Should I keep them in mobile profile or combat profile?

And what is the best way of entering an enemy-held hex — combat profile or mobile profile? If, as I guess, it is best to be in combat profile, should I use cautious, deliberate, or shock posture? Perhaps it is best to enter in cautious posture and then increase it?

Do I gain control of a hex if I am in mobile profile? And do I gain it faster if I am in combat profile and, let’s say, shock attack posture?

And what is the best way to withdraw? Should I be in combat mode and delay posture?

Sorry if this is too much, but I seriously cannot get this information from the manual.
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Q-Ball
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Re: Movement questions

Post by Q-Ball »

marek1978 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:46 pm I am trying to understand some aspects of moving Land Combat Units (LCUs) around.

If I am moving my unit from one hex neighbouring an enemy unit to another hex neighbouring an enemy unit, is my unit somehow influenced by their zone of control? Or does it depend on the border of the hex they control? And if they control the border of the hex, does it slow my unit down?
There really is not "ZOC" in the tradition wargame sense in this one. It's all about Hexside control....that's why that's so important. Moving from one hex to another does not slow your unit down, as long as you are able to make the move.

When a side is by itself in a hex, it controls all the hexsides
marek1978 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:46 pm What is the best stance for manoeuvring units around the enemy? Should I keep them in mobile profile or combat profile?
They'll move faster in mobile, so that stance almost always, unless you expect a sudden attack

marek1978 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:46 pm And what is the best way of entering an enemy-held hex — combat profile or mobile profile? If, as I guess, it is best to be in combat profile, should I use cautious, deliberate, or shock posture? Perhaps it is best to enter in cautious posture and then increase it?
Usually Mobile profile, but there are exceptions. If you intend to attack the same turn you enter the hex, set to combat profile. In terms of what type, it depends entirely on your assessment of relative strength. If you are not sure what's there, cautious. If you have a huge force and you're just overruning a small unit or garrison, use shock. And if you are pursuing a force, you might use MOBILE mode to enter the hex and attack at the same time....obviously only do that if you know you have overwhelming advantage
marek1978 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:46 pm Do I gain control of a hex if I am in mobile profile? And do I gain it faster if I am in combat profile and, let’s say, shock attack posture?
If the hex is empty, doesn't matter. If you are entering an empty town, set an attack posture, so you can take the town the minute you move in
marek1978 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:46 pm And what is the best way to withdraw? Should I be in combat mode and delay posture?
If you need to run, set to mobile and just run
marek1978
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Re: Movement questions

Post by marek1978 »

Is entering enemy hex with enemy unit there in movement operation mode not risky?
dont they get slaughtered?


Or maybe if unit moves in movement mode but with defensive posture it wont start fighting but just get a foothold in new hex to start fight another day?
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Q-Ball
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Re: Movement questions

Post by Q-Ball »

marek1978 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 9:51 pm Is entering enemy hex with enemy unit there in movement operation mode not risky?
dont they get slaughtered?


Or maybe if unit moves in movement mode but with defensive posture it wont start fighting but just get a foothold in new hex to start fight another day?
They wouldn't get slaughtered unless the enemy had the foresight to set that stack to some sort of Attack posture......not easy for a human. The AI will never do that.
marek1978
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Re: Movement questions

Post by marek1978 »

This is actually beautiful. It reminds me of some of the best experiences I’ve had playing AGEOD games — playing cat and mouse with my opponents along the Hudson River in WIA, or spending entire campaign seasons in Rise of Prussia manoeuvring around the Elbe in 1756, 1757, and 1758.

If War in Spain gets properly polished and made more accessible to new players, it could become a real hit. And perhaps this engine could eventually deliver the ultimate American Civil War game, or finally provide truly good coverage of WWI or 18th- and 19th-century warfare.

With the latter in particular, though, I wonder whether it would be possible to portray the nature of manoeuvring around the enemy while still using the “sound of the guns” mechanism...

There is enormous potential here. It is a beautiful thing to watch and play. But at the moment, it is still very hard to learn. It desperately needs a good manual and much clearer explanations of the game mechanics for new players.
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RangerJoe
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Re: Movement questions

Post by RangerJoe »

I know that this is a couple of weeks later but I would like to point something out.

If possible with the movement points remaining, any unit in move mode will go into combat mode for combat. They will also "dig in" which means to fortify itself in the hex if it does not move even if it still shows move mode. So by all means enter the hex in move mode but only select an offensive option for orders if you actually want to attack the enemy forces.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.

I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing! :o

“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
:twisted: ; Julia Child


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