Combat odds?

[Bullman]

I don't seem to be able to find how the combat odds work.
How does the different terrain (if at all) affect things?
What are the strengths of the enemy units?

How is combat worked out? It just seems to be a win/lose %.

[Every Single Soldier]

The combat model includes all the fundamentals i.e. terrain, experience, combat strength , am looking at including a few more variables like proximity to other units, supply state etc

[Bullman]

OK that's good to know, is there any reason why they aren't documented in a table for example?

Like what is the difference between occupying open space/jungle/village/firebase/rice paddys etc?

Does it make a difference what kind of enemy you are engaging?

What difference does experience have on combat?

What difference does it make if the unit is damaged?

[Every Single Soldier]

Do you really think it needs to be displayed, as opposed to the odds being calculated and displayed ?

[Chippit]

In the interests of being transparent, our combat calculations are actually really straightforward. Your odds of success are simply:

Code: Select all

unit_strength / (enemy_strength + unit_strength)

This is ONLY modified by your unit's experience level, where 1 is added to its strength for every level of promotion. Enemies have different strengths just like your own units, so this varies by the enemy you're engaging.

[Bullman]

OK..in an "engagement", I think I have seen both sides take casualties. Are the calculations for casualties applied to both sides. It seems US units take STEP losses where as the VC/NVA take full losses or none at all (retreat)?

Does it matter who is the "attacker" and who is the "defender".
ie. does a unit being attacked have as much chance of "success" in combat than if it were attacking instead?

The combat calculation you gave does not seem to consider terrain.

Has terrain NO effect on any combat result?

[Chippit]

Terrain has no impact. The attacker only, strictly speaking, matters in indirect combat, where there is no chance of receiving damage in return even if the engagement fails. Only one side in the engagement will suffer losses, but VC units always disband regardless of combat results. The combat results will influence whether your units take a hit and/or receive political support for destroying an enemy though.

[tomchick]

The combat model includes all the fundamentals i.e. terrain, experience, combat strength , am looking at including a few more variables like proximity to other units, supply state etc

Please don't. Part of what I like about this game is that you guys didn't get sucked down the simulation rabbit hole. This is an elegant and simple game, with relatively few pieces and relatively few numbers. My concern is that throwing more stuff at it will just bog it down.

-Tom

[Every Single Soldier]

That's what we thought...

[Bullman]

Terrain has no impact.

The combat model includes all the fundamentals i.e. terrain

Both can't be right. Does terrain matter for combat?

[FroBodine]

This is a very strange thread. One developer says all factors are considered in combat, including terrain, proximity to other units, and supply. The other developer just says it is attacker's unit strength and defender's unit strength, with a bonus added for experience.

[Every Single Soldier]

Currently combat modifiers are unit strength, unit experience and defender terrain, we are busy working on the model to include a number of other factors including supply status, proximity to other troops etc These will have marginal effects as the fundamentals are just that.

We do not want to get into a detailed discussion on what should or should not be in or out as , I am sure you can imagine, this thread would continue for the next 100 years