Matrix Games Forums

Do forced marches and naval cruises have any adverse short term or long term effects on the units using them?

One quite odd side effect of cruising can be found in post 3 of this thread:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 5#p4954515
It's WW1, but that mechanic should be the same in all games (but other stuff in the thread IS specific to the WW1 version!)

The more basic effects should be somewhere in the manual, I just don't recall the exact numbers of the debuffs right now...

It reduces supply by 1 and if you run into an enemy you take additional damage.

DavidDailey wrote: Tue Apr 26, 2022 7:27 pm Do forced marches and naval cruises have any adverse short term or long term effects on the units using them?

Forced march reduces unit morale by 50-65% (manual section 7.29.1). Low morale affects unit readiness. Unit readiness is key to a unit's combat effectiveness. You can find the calculation for unit readiness in the manual (section 7.29.4).

The loss of morale can have a long term effect because new morale is based old morale, unit strength, and supply. You can see the formula for calculating new morale in the manual (section 7.29).

Courtesy of Bavre:

Example of a Battle Cruiser using 'Cruise" through a discovered enemy DD:

If the BC cruises through an already discovered DD's ZOC, the BC is invisible.
If the BC cruises directly through an already discovered DD, the BC is invisible but may take 1 damage.
If the BC cruises through a not yet discovered DD's ZOC, the BC is pulled out of his move.
In other words the units you come across during your cruise must not even be eligible for an ambush, while a possbile but declined ambush will still stop you.

LoneRunner wrote: Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:42 pm

DavidDailey wrote: Tue Apr 26, 2022 7:27 pm Do forced marches and naval cruises have any adverse short term or long term effects on the units using them?

Forced march reduces unit morale by 50-65% (manual section 7.29.1). Low morale affects unit readiness. Unit readiness is key to a unit's combat effectiveness. You can find the calculation for unit readiness in the manual (section 7.29.4).

The loss of morale can have a long term effect because new morale is based old morale, unit strength, and supply. You can see the formula for calculating new morale in the manual (section 7.29).

My question is how long does it take for the morale to build back up to the original stats after force marching? Is it just one turn?

Tanaka wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 8:27 pm
My question is how long does it take for the morale to build back up to the original stats after force marching? Is it just one turn?

You can experiment and see but from my experience it's about 2-3 months to get back to "full strength."

They're hurt bad. And you're just gonna sit here... and... drink tea?

Major Julian Cook, wants the forced march.