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I had a secondary question that relates to anti-air, so I thought I'd post it here, as it will be sure to be read by someone who'll know the answer. Been playing the "The Next War 1979" scenario and loving it.

My question is, SAMs and those immobile AA guns, do they kill ONLY in their immediate hex, or can they take out planes in the surrounding area?

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

My question is, SAMs and those immobile AA guns, do they kill ONLY in their immediate hex, or can they take out planes in the surrounding area?

Some SAMs have range. AA artillery does not.

I'm surprised the discussion of this tactic has mostly focused on the "gameyness" of it, and not much on the tediousness of it.
 
Even if you agree (as I do) that the tactic has a legitimate "design for effect" role in the game, I think we all can agree moving most of our AA units around the map in circles at the start of our turns is incredibly tedious.
 
Maybe what we could do is take away the ability of moving AA to actually shoot back at interdictors (which you have to admit is kinda unrealistic; most AA guns had to be unlimbered and manned and that took time, not enough time when you see and hear the fighter-bombers swooping towards you), and replace it with the ability of AA to have a *chance* of shooting at interdictors within a radius generally equal to its movement capacity.  And IF that AA happens to be in Local Reserve.  Thus LOOSELY simulates an AA managing to position itself in the general area to fire at interdictors flying overhead.
 
Better realistic "feel" this way, plus without the tedious need to be moving all your AA around in circles.

ORIGINAL: jimwinsor
I'm surprised the discussion of this tactic has mostly focused on the "gameyness" of it, and not much on the tediousness of it.

Even if you agree (as I do) that the tactic has a legitimate "design for effect" role in the game, I think we all can agree moving most of our AA units around the map in circles at the start of our turns is incredibly tedious.

That's what my main objection is. I hate doing things like that, that's what computers are for. There are no 'interesting decisions' there, just walk this unit around in circles at the beginning of each turn.

For any kind of insurgent war I lower the recon theater rate to the weakest.
 
Makes moving easier under the air umbrella