ORIGINAL: rhinobones
Paragraph 11.3 still describes Command & Control in terms of a radius with no regard for the impact of adverse terrain upon communications. Instead of a simple radius, I would like to see area of C&C defined as the area the HQ can move to in any one full move. As the HQ moves the C&C area moves and would then be redefined starting from the hex where the HQ stopped. Maybe a feature could be added (such as right clicking on the HQ button) that would highlight the hexes within the individual HQ’s area of C&C. The same type of thought can also be applied to the distribution of supply.
With the advent of radio communications I can see the area of C&C being described by a radius, but I don’t see a radius being applicable any time prior to radio.
A radius in courier movement points would be more realistic than a radius in hexes, of course. But we don't have anything at all now. Even a radius in hexes would be an improvement. And it might be simpler for the players, although your "highlight" idea would help.
Ultimately, all pre-radio units get their orders via aide-de-camp. But a command radius would allow some sensible simplification of that. It should depend upon the time scale: if you have 6-hour turns, then if you're close enough that the courier can get to you in, say, 30 minutes, it's probably ok to omit the physical courier movement and just assume you're in C&C. So, if the turn interval is one-week, then maybe the radius could be 14-hours by courier, for example. It's not cut-and-dried. That's why I prefer it to be a designer setting.
Finally, there's the issue of the courier's terrain costs. They're not going to be the same as a formed unit. I expect that some terrain that slows formed units down wouldn't have much effect on a single rider that was getting frequent remounts.
One more thing: Back to 4.14. Note that the penalty is not very severe. Players will probably still spray their units all over the place, even with that rule in place. Ultimately, it needs to be a bit more odious. But I'm reluctant to propose that until we also have the ability to shift units between formations (4.2).
In the attached picture, the hexes that the HQ is in contact with are occupied by friendly units. Using a simple radius to describe the C&C of a HQ would not be able to account for the effect terrain has on the communications train.
Good choice for illustration! [:)]
