Matrix Games Forums

I know that terrain and forts (if they survive combat) increase a units defensive CV thus making it less likely to retreat in combat. But can anyone explain how fortifications effect the casualties both taken and inflicted by a fortified unit. In other words will a fortified unit take fewer casualties in combat (not counting retreat losses) than a non-fortified unit all other things being equal? Will it inflict more casualties on the attacking units? To what extent does the level of the fortification effect these casualties (both taken and inflicted)? The more detailed the answers to these questions the better.

The manual is vague on the subject.

It seems that fortification level adjusts the attacker ability to fire or the defenders ability to fire (not clear which of these, or both).

I quote "The next step is to determine which ground elements will be able to fire. There are multiple factors involved, to include the type of attack (hasty or deliberate), enemy unit detection level (DL), defending fortification modifier, attacking unit morale and supply status (especially ammo), individual ground element experience, fatigue, ammo usage and range of their equipped devices, and leader initiative and ground combat rating (mech or infantry) checks (11.3). Due to Soviet attack doctrine, defending Axis ground elements will have a better chance to fire at attacking Soviet ground elements."

The manual is clear on that it is affecting outcome of fire (miss, disrupted, damaged, destroyed).

I quote "If the targeted ground element is hit, then the result is determined based on the defending fortification modifier, the defending ground elements speed and armour, and the attacking ground element’s device lethality and penetration capability. The result could be no effect, disrupted, damaged or destroyed."

What should happen, I think, is that the fortified unit enjoy registered artillery support, dependable ammunition supply, rapid communications, and improved aggregation of whatever forces are fortified. How to model this, have no clue. How is it modelled, only a guess. Fortifications of any degree may be overcome, but only with fair preparations and assaults, etc. Yes, some forts should be almost inviolable if properly supplied. But these can be flanked.

So, yes, think fortified units defensive combat powers should be enhanced.

I don't know the formulas, but I can confirm that fort levels impact the losses taken. Also, I know for sure that the higher the fort level, the better the defending artillery fires as it is assumed they have registered artillery support.