An idea for a new class of units - medical unit types

[John Given]

Hey all, I was thinking to myself about the need for a new type of unit that I have always thought was missing from the JTCS game: the lowly medic. I tried to figure how a unit like this could work within the limitations of the game engine, and came up with a few ideas. Here we go.

First, three types of units.

a. Medic. Lowest ranking. Looks like an officer. Movement late is the same as other officers, can be transported in transport units like officers.

b. Ambulance. This is simply a modified truck with 'medic' abilities included (see game function, below). Should usually be unarmored and unarmed. I imagine the U.S. HQ as a good example of what many might look like (with a large red cross within a white circle on the sides, probably).

c. Doctor / surgeon. Looks like a jeep or staff car (depending on the army using it). Should be fairly rare. Better stats than medic. Often 'attached' to MASH units.

d. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) - highest ranking medical unit. This would be a fixed building, similar to the 'supply depot' we have seen in the game. It's function would be similar to the medic, only with better stats.

Second - game function.

Since we have to stay realistic and work within the game engine, I envision a unit that

a. adds to a unit's morale and therefore also helps remove disrupted status that it is stacked with,

b. but NO increase to the other units attack strength (command rating).

In other words, medical units function like a sort of 'lesser officer' in terms of their capabilities.

Also, what about the idea of the MASH unit, in addition to medic functions (not sure if this is possible within the game engine), acting as a kind of HQ unit - it provides 'supply' to the medics and ambulances, and keeps them from going low-ammo. Low-ammo medic units cannot perform medical duties (increasing morale / recover from disruption). I put part of the first sentence in parenthesis because I question if a JTCS unit can have 'officer' functions and 'HQ' functions at the same time.

Here's another oddball idea: Since shooting these units was kind of a no-no (not sure but I think it was banned under the geneva convention laws), perhaps medic-type units should have a NEGATIVE point value to represent a war crime of sorts upon the belligerent player. The victory points (or is it anti-points?) would be higher for ambulances, much higher for MASH units. The moral: don't kill enemy medic units or you'll LOSE victory points (because in real life, these captured units could be used to help heal your own troops?).

I think these types of units could be included into the game and they would be helpful for adding variety, recovering units from disrupted status, and increasing morale. The question is,

a. SHOULD we consider something like this added into our hobby?

b. Would they increase the 'fun factor?'

c. Would it add some realism, or is it just cheesy?

Well guys, sound off!

[Ashcloud]

I love the idea.

[PawelM]

So, imagine my opponnent stacks a medic of some kind with his combat unit to improve its morale. If I want to plot artillery or assault that hex (for instance an objective hex) I would be risking loosing points for killing the medic in the process. Or I can see someone blockin path with a medic. Touchy ground if someone does it with a truck. But say if my opponent does it with a truck I assault it and get bonus points. If it was a medic it would be my opponnent getting the points.
In general, I prefer to think this medic increasing morale effect is already captured by command control ( i.e. Effect of the first platoon on morale ) and a combination of things like HQ and leader units.
And splitting it into small detail will not have much benefit.

[Ashcloud]

Good points on the negative, I for one would just enjoy another new unit and the chance to increase morale and improve disruptions sounds good to me (I need it - in fact I think only the side I play on should have medics). I like the idea of a slightly new game dynamic and I enjoy the civilians in the Nam mod (I have always wanted civilians in my games).

[Herr Straße Laufer]

a. NO - put them in Squad Battles not CS.

b. NO - unneeded chrome. Fun? I think not.

c. NO and Yes - does not add anything to the game and their use would/could cause more cheesy play. If the rumored "hero" units are in the 1.05 update we will have cheese enough added to the game.

Next we can have dead bodies on the map? They could lower morale for one side and raise it for another?

I just do not see a benefit or addition to realism at all.

HSL

ps. Did anyone think I would have a different opinion?

[Ashcloud]

a. NO - put them in Squad Battles not CS.

b. NO - unneeded chrome. Fun? I think not.

c. NO and Yes - does not add anything to the game and their use would/could cause more cheesy play. If the rumored "hero" units are in the 1.05 update we will have cheese enough added to the game.

Next we can have dead bodies on the map? They could lower morale for one side and raise it for another?

I just do not see a benefit or addition to realism at all.

HSL

ps. Did anyone think I would have a different opinion?

But it would be nice to have choice, you can choose to play with them or not.

[Kool Kat]

Hey all, I was thinking to myself about the need for a new type of unit that I have always thought was missing from the JTCS game: the lowly medic.

Second - game function.

Since we have to stay realistic and work within the game engine, I envision a unit that

a. adds to a unit's morale and therefore also helps remove disrupted status that it is stacked with,

b. but NO increase to the other units attack strength (command rating).

In other words, medical units function like a sort of 'lesser officer' in terms of their capabilities.

Hi John:

My

Interesting idea... but I would not like to see it implemented in JTCS.

The current unit morale / disruption recovery function is performed by commanders.

I don't see the need to introduce a new unit that would function as a 'lesser officer?'

That's the proposal boiled down in a nut shell...

In general, I prefer to think this medic increasing morale effect is already captured by command control ( i.e. Effect of the first platoon on morale ) and a combination of things like HQ and leader units. And splitting it into small detail will not have much benefit.

IMO, PawelM's has a good generalization of how a "medic function" is already baked into the game mechanics.

[Ashcloud]

I also want dead bodies :)

[PawelM]

I think in general, one has to be very careful when adding new unit type. I do not think to high a variety of supporting units is not needed in CS. I feel supporting units are generalized to enough detail at the moment-see my earlier post. As for civvilians it is even more akward idea. One could think of fleeing civilian columnd blocking the roads, etc. But what would be the point of it? Nightmare to sensibly implement these mobile roadblocks.
I fear it would end up with such a silly features as one currently can see with on map aricraft ...

[PawelM]

Next after medics we will get front line enterteiners group( all dancing and singing). This will follow by spies and assasins and we get to Total war and Civilisation type game :)