Blow you will find the eleventh in a series of designer’s notes articles from The Last Hundred Yards series designer Mike Denson. In this segment he will discuss other tactics principles in LHY. You can also find this article on his ConsimWorld Community page. Enjoy! -Rachel

---

Tactics

Other Principles: Platoon leaders can support friendly units under fire, assist in the recovery of disrupted units, coordinate MFAs, and lead assaults. But be aware that in an assault, platoon leaders are a casualty risk. Platoons without a platoon leader in play are limited to reactions only. Also, when not in LOS of enemy units, try and keep all units of a platoon in the same hex with their platoon leader. This is critical when you are not the active player because units not stacked with their platoon leader or units without LOS to the enemy cannot react.

When in the primary impact hex of an initial mortar fire attack, it is best to withdraw. Although the withdrawing units will suffer the mortar fire attack upon exit, they will avoid the possibility of suffering a subsequent mortar fire attack if the enemy player is successful in extending his mortar fire.

When a disrupted unit is under fire in a hex marked with a DRM marker, it is best to attempt recovery rather than withdrawal, where the unit may be more vulnerable. If possible, move a leader into the hex to assist in the unit’s recovery or another undisrupted combat unit to help protect the disrupted unit and absorb the fire. If not under fire, a disrupted unit should withdraw out of LOS of the enemy and avoid taking any additional fire.

Be aware of enemy units adjacent to yours. These may be opportunities for you, as well as your enemy, to assault from an adjacent hex. By doing so, either player can prevent any reaction fire from enemy units, in essence penning the units in the assaulted hex and therefore taking them out of play. An active or reacting player could then reinforce by conducting an assault from a non-adjacent hex in the current or subsequent platoon activation.

Avoid conducting actions with units that would expose them to superior enemy reaction fire. In many cases, it is better to wait and employ reaction fire against possible enemy maneuvers, especially when they can maneuver within two hexes of your forces. Remember, only units that conduct actions are subject to enemy reaction fire. If armor support is available, use it first to support infantry against enemy strongpoints. This will also force enemy armor to react to relieve the pressure on his infantry, increasing your armor’s chance for the first shot. Do not maneuver against enemy armor (especially superior enemy armor) unless you can do so with at least a 3-1 ratio and, preferably, from different angles to gain enfilade. In tank versus tank actions, it is generally decided more by superior tactics than superior numbers. However, it is still true to say that single tanks invite destruction. When engaging enemy armor, employ (i.e., leap frogging) fire and maneuver tactics by splitting your force, keeping some of your armor stationary to provide overwatch fire for maneuvering units. Employ Halt & Fire and Shoot & Scoot actions when possible, to get the first shot.

---

Previous Articles:

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Intro & Time Lapse System

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Initiative & Activation Cycle

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Maneuver & Fire Mechanics

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Armor

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Mortars

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Platoon Leaders

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Elite vs. Regular Units

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: The Imperial Japanese Army

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Offensive Tactics

The Last Hundred Yards Designer’s Notes: Defensive Tactics