Auto defensive fire

[Dog Soldier]

I just don't understand this at all, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Surely there is more to this than just the roll of a die.

Yes and no. If it was predictable, gamey moves can be made. What tazaaron says is good advice. Add, that he also mentioned there can be defensive artillery fire. There can be a lot of that or none, just depends on some variables not revealed. I have had attacking units sit through a hail of defensive fire artillery shells in some cases after moving up. Other times, the weather is just fine.

Another thing to realize is the class of units engaging. Armored cars bumping into a stack will not be fired upon by infantry with an H/A range of zero, no matter how many infantry there are. Artillery may rain down on the A/C and/or ranged H/A fire from nearby hexes if visibility allows, or not some times.

Just plan your attack movements and attack firing for defensive fire to come and disrupt some of your plans. Trying to be optimal will pay off sometimes. Other times it will only frustrate your attacks. Depends on the situation.

You can develop a feel for possible defensive fire by observation over time. Then there is that rare bunch of heroes on the other side who disrupt everything you throw at them and just keep on smiling.

Dog Soldier