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Ground combat is conducted by an automated tactical combat system that consists of
a variable number of rounds where ground elements engage each other. In general, the
computer first determines the opening range at which combat will take place. This is largely
based on defending terrain, with battles in city and urban hexes commencing at shorter initial
ranges. The attacker fires first at ranges of 3000 yards or greater, while the defender fires first at ranges less than 3000 yards.

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The next step is to determine which ground elements will be able to fire. There are multiple
factors involved, to include the type of attack (hasty or deliberate), enemy unit detection level
(DL), defending fortification modifier, attacking unit morale and supply status (especially
ammo), individual ground element experience, fatigue, ammo usage and range of their
equipped devices, and leader initiative and ground combat rating (mech or infantry) checks

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Due to Soviet attack doctrine, defending Axis ground elements will have a better chance
to fire at attacking Soviet ground elements.

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Ground elements that have successfully passed their checks will then fire their equipped
devices that are within range at an opposing ground element.

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The amount of ammo on hand impacts the number of shots taken in combat. If over 100%, the
combat unit may get an extra shot. If less than 50%, the combat unit will likely get fewer shots,
Longer range artillery units will fire less often if ammo is under 75%.

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ORIGINAL: cookie monster

Just watch the combats at level 4 or higher

Press key 4.

The inner workings of the combat would take the programmer to explain

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ORIGINAL: PeeDeeAitch

If I said it is all magic you probably wouldn't like that. Whenever I try to understand stuff like this, my head hurts.

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ORIGINAL: Ascended

I think it's reasonable to want to know how this works in some detail, as it is really what it all comes down to.  Everything else is just tracking & tallying. In some cases, the things I see in the combat resolution window lead me to believe the results won't match what they ought to, historically. In particular, defenders getting to shoot at attacker anti-tank guns *before* those anti-tank guns are put into action seems like it will make these weapons difficult to preserve against enemy forces that aren't heavily armored, and against those that are, difficult to employ at all.

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ORIGINAL: squatter

Welcome to the brick wall of understanding in the game, Ascended. I too wanted to know how it all worked once. But there are some parts of the engine that appear to reside like a KFC recipe solely in Gary 'col Saunders' Grigsby's head.

I can imagine it's a product of the way that GG works, but I can't say it seems like to best way to construct a game. This way, no-one else can check things are working, spot bugs within it. We can just observe the final results and see if they tally with the way we would expect the combat to work out. This faith-based programming approach cant be beneficial to the testing process, I would have thought.

The rather unhelpful suggestions to 'watch on message level 4' will just raise more questions about the fine print than they answer, as you have discovered.

As you've seen, the way the engine executes combat appears to be in a series of WWI style bombardments and walking advances. Thankfully, though, the end result appears pretty sound, reflecting the balance of forces involved pretty soundly.

At the end of the day, the most important consideration are the relative CV values of the units involved. This is how combat works, it seems to me:
1. Starting CV values for the units involved are totalled. Terrain, forts, and weather figured in.
2. Air support goes in, knocking out elements that might otherwise have taken part in step 3.
3. A series of WWI attacks play out, each one at a decreasing range, in which a percentage of the ground elements of each side fire at each other.
4. At the end of all this, a final CV calculation is made, affected by losses during 2 and 3, and by leadership roles.
5. The final CV values are compared to produce the battle odds.
6. The odds are used to determined retreat or hold, with further losses inflicted with the former.

A rough assessment, but that's how I've come to understand how to 'read' the engine.

Can I just point out that none of this is to say the game is anything other than superb.

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ORIGINAL: Mynok


Glad to see you are getting into the game! [;)]

Level 4 combat reports will definitely get you a feel as to how things go down in combat, but probably not to the level you're wanting. It really is kind of a 'feel' thing that you get by nothing more than constant repetition.

Artillery will definitely put a hurting on AT units. The only counter is your own artillery, so the rule is to bring as much as you can, especially Guns, as they do better with counter battery fire. Arty is still the queen of battle, and infantry is still the king. Use that as a basis for your assaults and you'll do fine.

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ORIGINAL: Aditia

Keep in mind that attackers always, in any fight, have the disadvantage of having to make contact with the defenders before they themselves can fire. With guns usually towed they have to be put in place before being able to fire at defended positions, at which time the defenders can put down fire on a piece of equipment that is being made ready for action.