SCOUTING

[Dan Caviness]

Mike:

Your thoughts are well thunken.

I forget the exact terms for the three classic recon methods but it appears you utilize a "recon in force" method which allows you to exploit/shoot any enemy units you do stumble on to and recon "the hard way". I think that is a good technique in the CS and probably the best when on the offensive. As you say, recon is extremely variable based on what you have and what they have.

I'm in the middle of a teamgame "Showdown at Borisov" with Smed and Guderian. Now in that scenario...with all the endless numbers of units and almost unlimited visibility...you recon knowing that unit will probably die. If your lucky you retreat to an unspotted hex...but you usually die. Still, with a big scenario, losses are expected, and those "dead man spots" are still a good way to keep your eye on what the enemy is doing if you can use the replay to keep track of them. Their units will disappear after the replay, but you still know where they are if you have the units to go out and get them.

As you say, it's also based on knowing what hexes you should be in or want to be in. I think one of the biggest differences between new players and the grizzled vets is learning how important that ONE hex may be to spot/for spotting...and knowing whether you can take that spot without getting hurt...or taking the chance if it's worth the risk and you can't be certain it's clean.

I also like your flanking technique. I usually just try to spot everything I can, and often reveal something along the enemy flanks I'm not able to do anything about. It pays to be patient.

Regards,

Dan