Drive on Moscow rule clarifications

[blahblah3502]

A couple of things I've noticed that I don't think are covered clearly by the rules and could be more explicit - apologies if I've overlooked where they're discussed:

1) Axis instant victory for capturing Moscow is not triggered if the occupying units can't trace a line of supply. I assume this isn't a bug but a rule choice.
This has happened to me when playing against the second Soviet AI with Operation Typhoon. I moved a panzer division into Moscow, which had the Soviet militia unit and a Soviet tank unit in it. The AI then moves the tank unit out of Moscow, cutting off the supply line to the panzer unit. But it leaves the militia behind, triggering automatic combat with the panzer unit - the militia loses and flees. Panzer unit is now only unit in Moscow but can't trace line of supply (but is in supply status for the current turn). Victory isn't triggered.

2) Do elite infantry units' defence bonus affect all other friendly infantry units in the same space in the same way that they do in BotB? Does that mean they have to represent half or more of the total friendly infantry strength in the space? (that seems hard for the elite Soviet infantry units that have only 2 points of strength max. - so perhaps its works differently from BotB? I couldn't find the info about this in the rules)

thanks!

[s_nkarp]

It is actually a bug (fixed in the upcoming update) that the Axis has to trace supply for the Moscow victory.

Unlike Bulge, elite infantry get a +10 to their own defensive fire (rather than reducing enemy fire). So it doesn't matter what other units are in their space.

[blahblah3502]

ah, ok, thanks for clearing those points up. The elite infantry difference from BotB could do with a mention in The Changes From Bulge help section - since elite infantry was such a key part of that game for Allies.

[OWAC1st]

Do I have this right?

Axis units attack into Moscow, retreating the defenders and establishing control of the territory. They hold their ground against the Soviet counterattack. That maintains control of the space. Other Soviet units break the Axis supply line. At the end of the turn, the Axis will win the auto victory, despite the presence of Soviets in Moscow. Yes?

[s_nkarp]

Victory should be scored for the Axis instantaneously upon taking control of Moscow. They don't have to be in supply, and the Soviets do not get a chance to retake or contest it.

I believe the current implementation mistakenly fails to award the victory under certain supply conditions - however that should be fixed in the next update.

[daviddunham]

I am not aware of any case where ownership of Moscow fails to be detected if the Axis units could trace supply at the time. I don’t suppose the game is still on your device so that you can send it via the Feedback button in the menu.

[thedudeabidez]

>Unlike Bulge, elite infantry get a +10 to their own defensive fire (rather than reducing enemy fire). So it doesn't matter what other units are in their space.

Wow, I hadn't caught that change! So elite infantry are much less valuable on defense than in Bulge. Funny. because I've seen so many Soviet players making the same armor/elite-inf, killer defense combo as in Bulge that I had been assuming it was a -20% to my attackers going in!

[OWAC1st]

I am not aware of any case where ownership of Moscow fails to be detected if the Axis units could trace supply at the time. I don’t suppose the game is still on your device so that you can send it via the Feedback button in the menu.

The game wasn't bugged (at the time...), I just wanted to test my understanding of the rules. This was the situation late in turn 12, after the planned offensives. Would you? The combat calculator predicted a retreat. I don't trust that thing, but the opportunity!

DOM3m.jpg

I couldn't resist the chance for a potential auto-win. I scored 5 hits on 13 shots. After Moscow's formidable fortifications soaked up 3 both defenders were left with a point each. They stood fast. The Russians immediately slammed the door.

It took two turns for a relief force to restore supply to the panzers. Once my infantry arrived in force, I was able to slowly envelop the city. Squeezing one infantry division into Noginsk was the key. The Panzers escaped to the north, completing the encirclement. The isolated defenders melted away between turns 18 and 19. And that's where the bug comes in. The second file shows the situation at the beginning of turn 19. I'd send the game file via the feedback button, but I use the Gmail app - no go.

Is this a hung game, or will my opponent be able to play his turn?

DOM1m.jpg

[s_nkarp]

The Axis should score a victory -- no last licks if Moscow is ever Axis-controlled. Not sure how the bug will play out in practice, but you've earned your glory!

[daviddunham]

I'd send the game file via the feedback button, but I use the Gmail app - no go.

You can configure the built-in client to use your Gmail account, and will then be able to use the built-in email support in Shenandoah games as well as other apps.