Matrix Games Forums

Hi

Is there a reason why my reserves never seem to activate when defending? It is winter 1941 and (as Axis) I have set most of my frontline to reserve status. When playing against the AI, I have not seen one reserve activiation on defence whatsoever. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks

Units set to reserve mode that are hugged by enemy units cannot trigger reserve activation. It's pointless to set the ones right at the frontline on reserve mode.

The conditions for reserve activation are the following: they must not be neighbouring an enemy unit, they must have enough MPs to reach the hex where a reserve activation may be required and the initial CV odds (before any combat takes place) must not be higher than 10:1 in favour of the enemy.

Jango is spot on. A few other considerations

- leaders. Pretty sure it’s initiative stat that determine activation
- same command hierarchy. Units in the same corps have a higher chance of activating rather than different army groups or fronts
- smaller size units increase commitment chance. Regiments in reserve are more likely to commit that divisions

Thank you. Makes sense.

Wasn't there also an 3 Hex (Offense) and 6 Hex Defence - Rule?

...and are HQ whose subordinates exceed their command capacity and low initiative leaders not less likely to activate reserves?

Yes, overloading makes it harder as you have to make an initiative leader check to commit to a battle and that is negatively impacted by overloading command points.