Matrix Games Forums

On page 64 of the manual in the Interception section there is the following statement:
"To act as interceptors the Fighters must:
Be within both Strike and Spotting Range of the
hex targeted by the enemy."

During my invasion of Belgium when I used a German bomber to bomb a Belgian unit - a French fighter 4 hexes away from my bombing target intercepted my bomber. Don't all fighters have a spotting range of 2 hexes? If so is the manual incorrect stating that the fighter must be within spotting range in order to intercept?

It would be another game if fighters would only intercept attacks 2 hexes away. Heck, anti air units intercept 1 hex away, what would I need fighters for? I guess that the rule is either obsolete (game has dozens of patches since release) or that by spotting range it means either a) any friendly's unit spotting range or b) fighter's "operational" spotting range (in essence its strike range)

The unit's own spotting range is what denotes the range within which it can spot enemy units, e.g. if its spotting range is 2 then it won't see an enemy unit 3 hexes away.

However, it can still intercept an enemy air unit because it is responding to an enemy attack, during which friendly units (or a friendly resource) are able to report that they are under attack.

Ok thanks guys. I guess the statement in the manual is correct knowing what I know now!

Double left licking on the fighter shows the ranges on the map.

Right licking and setting allows you to just use the fighters as escorts, interceptors etc.

This comes in very handy so you are engaging the best fighters and resting fighters.