How do you see it?

[Sgt Barker]

Excellent topic. My opinion (perhaps contradicting design intent), is that there’s not as much difference as might first appear. The main difference is how a unit exploits weapon range.

On the surface another difference is one is made to take ground, the other to inflict casualties. Though it’s interesting to note that both arguably can be used to “take ground.” A fire attack on a Broken unit can leave the hex vacant, and controlled (taken) via ZOC by the firer.

Both attacks subject the attacker to casualties, fatigue, disruption, etc; the beauty of defensive fire. The only difference is weapon range.

So I don’t see them as all that different. Both involve getting close enough to the enemy to use your weapons. So while an assault can mean hth combat, it can also mean just getting within a few hundred meters and convincing the opponent to run away. Likewise a fire attack can involve getting up relatively close and using rifles and mgs, or standing off at a greater distance.