Japan '45 Optional Rules

[Kool Kat]

Here is why I chose to use the rule right from the Help manual:

Automatic Defensive Fire – this rule only applies to PBEM (Play-By-E-Mail) and Manual Defensive Fire. When selected, the computer will conduct the Defensive Fire Phase for the enemy side. This cuts in half the number of e-mail transfers required to play a game using PBEM.

So I set it as default to help the PBEM players out.

Gent: 

Wait? That does not make sense to me. 

Automatic Defensive Fire is an optional rule introduced specifically to address issues raised when players use Manual Defensive Fire (playing the game in multiple phases.) It ONLY speeds up PBeM games in which players are using the Manual Defensive Fire optional rule. 

As the Blitz guidance for use of Optional Rules states: "Manual Defense Fire: This rule allows you to play the game in phases, as 99% of players play these titles with the default single phase I will not discuss this rule."

NET: There is NO reason for "Automatic Defensive Fire" to be checked as a default Optional Rule for Japan '45 since "Manual Defensive Fire" is NOT checked and nor should it be checked!    PBeM players are NOT going to play these games in phases!

Here's what the Japan '45 Players Manual states about Automatic Defensive Fire:

"Automatic Defensive Fire is an additional Optional Rule that addresses the

main issue introduced by Manual Defensive Fire: that PBEM games now
require 2 mailings per side to complete a single game turn. Under Automatic
Defensive Fire, the computer controls the Defensive Fire Phase."