More on Footprints and ZOC

[choppinlt]

Here is some more detail on unit footprints and corresponding ZOC. These details will continue to be evaluated through the development process and adjusted accordingly. As always feel free to comment and give your thoughts and suggestions.

[76mm]

How is facing indicated?  Also, presumably ZoC is not affected by terrain (rivers, forests, urban)?

Finally, using original topo maps as the maps, how will units follow roads, be affected by rivers, etc.?  In most games, there is a limited number configurations for roads and other linear terrain features--I guess because this simplifies the programming--and I'm curious how this will work with the "free form" topo maps?

[choppinlt]

Facing is easy when a unit is moving because it will be in the direction of the movement path. When a unit is stationary the basic concept will be some sort of indicator showing the "front" of the unit. I havn't finalized this design aspect yet, but it will sort itself out as other design aspects evolve, especially with a little playtesting.

Correct, my current concept does not have the ZOC being affected by terrain.

Remember that we will allow for the use of real topo maps and for the curated maps. As for units following roads, they only get the full benefit of road movement when using March movement. So marching on a bridge over a river a unit will be at full speed. When spanning an unfordable river, it will provide a crossing point for units using Approach movement. Since it provides a choke point for a deployed unit, it will significantly slow an approaching unit down.

Underneath the map picture (curated or topo) there will be tiles with attributes assigned to each tile. I don't know if I have mentioned this yet, but we decided about a month ago that we would decrease the tile size to 100m^2. Does this answer all your questions?