leaders under fire :)

[Crossroads]

Resurrection time!

Mike and I decided to do a little test, and added a StuG as a Commander to EF:FB mod.

Before I continue any further, let me assure this capability is only available via this mod, these are completely new units, and thus can be introduced only via new scenarios. That in turn require the mod to be installed.

Anyway, the StuG leader brought up game functionality I was not aware earlier, and I thought are worth sharing here. Especially for EF:FB scenarios with these leader units, as a StuG is very easily spotted, while an accompanying say infantry unit may not be spotted.

Here's what I found out, and the following is true regardless of a type of commander (foot, mot., tank):

- When a leader is spotted, but all other units in hex remain unspotted, the direct fire selection dialogue opens up with an empty list. This was the part that seemed confusing, inititially.

Further testing however proved it is possible to shoot at the leader via firing into hex in general (ie. not having the cross-hair on top of leader, but by pointing it to an other area in the hex). The leader may get killed this way, while the other unspotted units remain not harmed nor spotted.

- When a leader is spotted, and at least one another unit is spotted, leader cannot be targeted alone. Either one unit must be selected from the selection dialogue (if there's two or more spotted non-leader units), or a generic direct fire into hex fires at the spotted non-leader unit (if there was only one spotted non-leader unit). This is the common case we all know and think nothing of.

- When leader is alone in the hex, and spotted, no target selection dialogue opens and the direct fire command takes on the commander. Business as usual as well.

So. Even when the leader is not alone, but is spotted alone, he can be killed then. Better keep your head down in the fox hole!

Or in another case that can happen with any scenario, watch out if for an example you stack your leader with a small caliber ATG unit. Leader may be spotted while the ATG is not. He then does not receive the extra protection you thought of, but can be killed alone.

I ran like 50 different tests, and in no case did a fire result in leader retreating, to answer the OP. He either got killed, or not harmed at all. Regarless if he was alone or with other but unspotted units.

Of course, leader together with an accompanying spotted unit often retreated as a result of direct fire hitting the spotted non-leader unit.

When assaulted, though, a lone leader might retreat as well.

I was not aware of this behaviour before, and this was an interesting experience.

So, as a conclusion, the little experiment with Panzer Leader units can continue.

Maybe, just maybe, we will introduce a Halftrack Leader to next release of EF:FB



Now, if that didn't get your attention I don't know what does

Thanks, Petri :)