Matrix Games Forums

Sorry if asked and answered before, but a basic question about the physics model that is implemented...

Does the velocity of a target impact the probability of hitting it when fired upon, or is the hit probability calculated as though the target was stationary? For example, if I order vehicles to move fast on a thunder run to some destination, are they harder to hit because they are moving, or does their velocity not get taken into account when a gun fires an AP round at them? If velocity is taken into account, is it simply speed, or is direction taken into account also? That is, a vehicle moving directly at an AT gun is easier to hit than a vehicle moving at the same speed but in a direction requiring traverse adjustments.

A related question is whether the velocity of the shooter is also taken account, but that potentially brings other factors into play such as whether a tank's gun has a stabilizer (American) or not (German) that aids in firing on the move.

BTW... I've been wondering about this for over 20 years, ever since I got the first release of Close Combat for my Mac in 1996!

Target and firer velocity are factors. In the original 2D engine both were a flat reduction in the 'to hit' roll, regardless of orientation (i.e. it was all based on speed and not on crossing angle.) In The Bloody First a gunner will attempt to lead a target based on where it will be when the round arrives, and the firing vehicle's movement will be transferred to the round after it is fired as well.

So yes, moving targets are more difficult to hit. But it's not usually a HUGE factors in Close Combat as the ranges are relatively short, the muzzle velocity of most AT weapons is fairly high, and the movement speed of most vehicles isn't that fast.