Effect of roads on communication/supply?

[nhill40]

I'm curious if in the PzC engine what effect roads have, if any, on communication/supply.

I've given the manual a pretty good search and it really sounds as though things such as supply and HQ contact determination are based upon simple hex radius calculations...though it seems to me units along a main thoroughfare would enjoy some sort of communication benefit compared to a unit out in the boonies.

Sorry for the noob question, but I've only played through relatively simple scenarios at this point and want to make sure I understand some of the finer points before tackling anything more complicated!

[Mr Grumpy]

No problem with a noob question. 

Roads have no effect on command/communications in these games and if you are playing with the default supply rules no effect on supply also.

However if the scenario you are playing using the Virtual Supply trucks optional rule (and many scenarios do) then units that are located close to roads receive more supply and units in difficult terrain receive less supply, see the rules for more detail and also see the VST text in this article. 

www.theblitz.club/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=70586

[nhill40]

Thank you, Mr Grumpy!

I was in fact just headed over here to say that I had found this information about VST in the rules. :)

Edit: disregard - link above answered my question.

On paper at least, VST certainly seems more realistic and would seem to encourage more realistic strategy.

[nhill40]

Oh, and missed the link at the bottom of you post - looks like good info, looking at that now. Thanks again!

[ComradeP]

You can keep an entire Army Group in supply using a single minor road, but supply drops spectacularly in bad weather conditions or far from the map edge supply/the nearest supply dump if you don't use a (network of) major road(s) to supply your units.

[Mr Grumpy]

On paper at least, VST certainly seems more realistic and would  seem to encourage more realistic strategy.

No problem, yes I think most people who play PzC here like to use VST as it adds realism but does not make the game any more complex.