Slitherine

It is my understanding that a scout infantry unit can reveal a hidden unit 2 squares away.

1. Is this automatic for the scout infantry unit or must it execute the scouting command like non-scout units?

2. My experience thus far is that I've seen the scouting command reveal a hidden infantry unit in high vegetation 2 squares away. I've yet to reveal a hidden unit in forest 2 squares distance. Is forest an exception? What about other terrain types (buildings, fortifications, etc).

The manual simply states "Scouts are very important units that can see 2 squares into terrain features."

Update: In my current game a scout of mine did see units in the forest at two squares and it was automatic, i.e. I did not have to use the scouting command.

I would also like to know the answers to these questions.

Gerry

Infantry units always reveal all hidden enemy units within their scouting range that are also within their line of sight. Scouting range is 1 for most infantry, 2 for scouts, and using the scouting command adds +1. Line of sight prevents units from scouting more than one tile deep into line-of-sight-blocking terrain such as forest.

@Soar: Thanks for that response. It pretty well clears up scouting for me.

Just one more thing please.

I think I have scouts without a scouting command? So their limit is still 2 hexes, right?

If a Scout also has a scouting command their limit is 3 hexes?

Thanks,

Gerry

Updated based on Soar's test: The scouting command does increase the 2 square range to 3 of scouts into terrain features that provide cover for infantry. It also increases the view of open terrain from 6 to 7 I think.

All scout infantry units can see two squares (3 if using scouting command) into covering terrain but cannot see two (or 3) squares if the first square is a line of sight blocking terrain type.

forest - clear - forest: scout in forest can see an enemy unit in the second forest

forest - forest - forest: scout in first forest square cannot see an enemy unit in the third forest because the second forest blocks line of sight.

Gerry wrote:Just one more thing please.

I think I have scouts without a scouting command? So their limit is still 2 hexes, right

If a Scout also has a scouting command their limit is 3 hexes?

Thanks,

Gerry

Tac2i wrote:The scouting command does not increase the 2 square range of scouts into terrain features that provide cover for infantry. It does increase the view of open terrain from 6 to 7 I think.
... No scout unit can see three squares into covering terrain types.

This is incorrect. I just ran a test scenario to confirm it, and the 'Scout area' command does increase scouts' scouting range from 2 squares to 3 like I stated.

Another benefit to having scouts is further enhanced by placing them in a halftrack. This gives you the sighting ability of an armoured car...without the armour.

Wouldn't you want the additional armor though?