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How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:45 pm
by HansLemurson
When units walk into uncontested territory, you gain control of all the surrounding hexes.
If there is a unit nearby, of course, you do not get the hexes that border that unit.
Unless of course you have overwhelming numbers, in which case you can take control of a hex even when there is an opposing unit nearby.

However, sometimes with small or understrength units like AI Sentinels or un-reinforced militia, you don't take control of adjacent hexes even when they are completely uncontested.

I have a pair of motorized militia units which have taken losses that will never be replaced, and if they move into a hex alone, they don't get the adjacent hexes, but if they BOTH go into the same tile, then I gain control of all neighboring (uncontested) tiles. I also gain control of any tiles neighboring both units if they happen to be in different tiles.

So clearly, there is a minimum threshold for taking control of adjacent territory. Does anybody know what this is?
-Is it based on numbers alone?
-Or does it use a stat like "Recon"?
-Do all unit types count equally?
-Or do they have to be armed?

I've looked in the manual and haven't found any wisdom on this point.

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:02 pm
by gmsitton
I believe the minimum is 6 points as shown on the counter.

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:04 pm
by eddieballgame
Troop: "How much fire power will we need to control that territory?"
Commander: "No idea son, but I recommend a s**t load".

Sorry, I too have no clue.[:)]

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 12:10 am
by demiare
You need at least 4 points if using 1 point units like Sentinels (so 4 units).

"Normal" army unit with 40-50 models (like tanks or MG independent) are enough too.

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 12:41 am
by HansLemurson
ORIGINAL: gmsitton

I believe the minimum is 6 points as shown on the counter.
Where do these points come from? I've seen them on counters in the between-turn, and they sorta reflect the troop numbers but not quite. Is it an estimate of combat power?

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 1:32 am
by demiare
ORIGINAL: HansLemurson
Where do these points come from? I've seen them on counters in the between-turn, and they sorta reflect the troop numbers but not quite. Is it an estimate of combat power?

They're simply amount of enemies in that unit. 1 = 100 infantry or 10 vehicles. AFAIK they're non-precise for enemy units.

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 4:18 am
by HansLemurson
Between turns in the History, my units often show a variety of numbers which are NOT their total sub-unit count.
Any idea if these numbers might be related to the "Strength" used to capture hexes?
Image
Red = Militia
Purple = Regulars
(Regulars were raised that turn, could that make their "strength" number smaller?)

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 5:39 am
by demiare
No, presence of enemy units block it (even if they're hidden from you - and it's normal in case of forests, as you're lacking recon unit).

To swap control of hex in ZOC of enemy you should outnumber them ~3+ times (unsure exactly but 100% sure that AT LEAST three times).

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 7:37 am
by DTurtle
The numbers shown on the history screen are modified by readiness. For enemy units they are also inaccurate depending on recon.

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:31 am
by HansLemurson
ORIGINAL: demiare

You need at least 4 points if using 1 point units like Sentinels (so 4 units).

"Normal" army unit with 40-50 models (like tanks or MG independent) are enough too.
This seems to be right, but with one caveat: Trucks don't count!
Image


Hovering your mouse over the Recon number in the tile info yields the following tidbit:
Image

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2020 11:53 pm
by Destragon
I've always been confused about this stuff, too. Would be nice if Vic could make this a bit more obvious in game.
I never noticed the "ZOC points" before.

RE: How much strength is required to take a neighboring hex?

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 4:40 pm
by KingHalford
Oh Shadow Empire, I love you and your obfuscated game mechanics!