Ambush

[dragos]

Do you feel that ambush mechanic is underwhelming ? Searching the forum I came across the following rule for ambush: ambushed unit initiative is set to 0 and the hidden unit that triggers the ambush receives a +4 bonus to defense. More often than not this is not enough to cause big problems to the ambushed unit.

Why does not the ambush always use the close defense of the ambushed unit to simulate fire from very close distance?

I remember in Panzer General the ambushes (or surprise contact/out of the sun) were devastating for the ambushed unit.

[braccada]

I think its fine the way it is.

Initiative 0 means the highest possible chance all your guys can shoot first, but there is still a chance some are messing up.
+ defense makes sense, because the ambushed unit is surprised and will not be able to aim that well

Close defense on the other hand will apply in rough terrain anyway. In open terrain on the other hand even in an ambush situation you might not be all that close.

But you are right the outcome often is rather disappointing. Most of the time that is because the ambushing unit is totally inferior and well some ambushes just fail

[edahl1980]

I think its fine the way it is.

Initiative 0 means the highest possible chance all your guys can shoot first, but there is still a chance some are messing up.
+ defense makes sense, because the ambushed unit is surprised and will not be able to aim that well

Close defense on the other hand will apply in rough terrain anyway. In open terrain on the other hand even in an ambush situation you might not be all that close.

But you are right the outcome often is rather disappointing. Most of the time that is because the ambushing unit is totally inferior and well some ambushes just fail

I am sure if a strenght 13 tiger tank ambush Russian conscripts things will get ugly, but they wont wipe out the entire division. Unless of course, they follow up the ambush with a counterattack.