Rethinking Smoke

[Blackcloud6]

I wrote to Dr. B some months back about the smoke rule to determine whether the rule is meant to allow each artillery unit/increment to fire smoke the number of turns allowed, or if the player only gets the number of turns, period.  I got a vague answer, unfortunately, I cannot find it at the moment. I used to think the former was correct but now I am leaning to the latter, that it is simply the number of turns a player get smoke.  Thus, in a 14-turn game, the player gets two turns of smoke.

But then, who get to fire in a a "smoke usage" turn?  One gun, or all of them?   The rule reads:

"Limited Ammunition: Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game, with fractions rounded up. So, a 12-turn game allows for two rounds of smoke/illumination, while a 36-turn game would allow four turns. To track usage, place either a Smoke or Illumination marker under the firing unit to indicate one usage or note off-board artillery's usage on a piece of paper."

I almost thing that all of them get to fire in "smoke usage" turn, however, the use of the word "rounds" in the second sentence, makes me take pause.

[treadasaurusrex]

You had it right already. One smoke, per unit, per turn for the scenario-specified turns.

Merry Christmas, Fred!

[Blackcloud6]

IDK, the rule does explicitly say "Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game..." 

Merry Christmas to you too.

[Greyfox]

IDK, the rule does explicitly say "Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game..." 

Merry Christmas to you too.

I believe that common sense dictates that each artillery unit has the ability to conduct that a specified number of special missions (smoke or illumination).  It doesn't make sense that you have to pick a specific turns in which you execute these special type of missions.  More often that not it severely constrains the ability of the commander to employ effective fires (maneuver support) planning.

Typing as a combat arms officer (an Infantry Officer and not a Field Artillery Professional), all units have a mix of High Explosive (HE), smoke, and flare rounds as part of their basic load.  In combat, it rarely makes sense to employ only smoke rounds.  You typically employ indirect fire for one of the following reasons though it can support a number of other missions (the below are tactical tasks commonly associated with fire missions) -

   Defeat - To render a force incapable of achieving its objectives.
   Destroy - To physically render an enemy force combat-ineffective until it is reconstituted (a fire mission casing 20 % casualties or materiel damage).
   Disrupt - Upset and enemy's formation or tempo, interrupt their timetable, or cause enemy forces to commit prematurely or attack in a piecemeal fashion.
   Interdict - Employ divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemies military surface capability before ie can be used effectively against friendly forces, or to achieve enemy objectives.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
   Neutralize - Renders enemy personnel or material incapable of interfering with a particular operation (10 percent fire mission causing at least 10% casualties or materiel damage)
   Suppress - Temporary degradation of the performance of a force or weapon system below the level needed to accomplish the mission. ( a fire mission causing 3% personnel and material loss).

   Smoke is typically employed to obscure observation of movement or maneuver in conjunction with suppressive fires.  Basically, regular rounds (usually HE) are used to keep the enemy from repositioning or keeping them in the bottom of their fox holes or, if in a vehicle, buttoned up.  If they are suppressed they can't employ effective direct fire or observe for indirect fire.  While that is happening smoke is used to allow troops to rapidly close with the enemy while minimizing the effects of the enemy fires.  

    I believe the key section of the rule (17.18 Smoke and Illumination)

Unless forbidden by scenario special rules, all mortars, on-board artillery units and off-board artillery increments conducting bombardment attacks have a limited ability to fire smoke or illumination rounds instead of causing damage. A unit or off-board artillery increment firing smoke or illumination may not also conduct Bombardment or Direct fire in the same turn (place a Moved/Fired marker on it, or make a note if it's an off-board artillery increment). Illumination rounds are sometimes called star shells.

Limited Ammunition: Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game, with fractions rounded up. So a 12-turn game allows for two rounds of smoke/illumination, while a 36-turn game would allow four turns. To track usage, place either a Smoke or Illumination marker under the firing unit to indicate one usage, or note off-board artillery's usage on a piece of paper.

   The fact that one has to mark usage of precious special mission by each firing unit, with each mission fired, implies that each unit has a specified number of rounds that can be used.  Commanders therefore have the ability to employ special mission as needed to support the commanders tactics.  

Mike

[Blackcloud6]

I'll reiterate what I say many times when it comes to rules discussion, so-called "reality-arguments" take second place to what the rule actually says and does.

The Limited Ammunition rule is quite explicit in what it says: "Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game, with fractions rounded up."

It does not say "number of times each gun can fire smoke " and so on.  It simply says, "number of turns."  So, you get a number of turns because that is what the rule says.  This is the only way you can play it if you play the rules as written.

It also does not say if all guns can fire in that turn or just one.   So, I can turn the "To track usage, place either a Smoke or Illumination marker under the firing unit to indicate one usage, or note off-board artillery's usage on a piece of paper," clause to mean that every gun capable of firing in the turn you desire to fire smoke can do so in that turn, and since they can be fired over the course of an activation, they are so marked as doing.

Now, the secondary reality argument to support the notion that the rule limits the player to only a certain number of turns is to ponder the notion of what primary level of command the game is replicating: battalion, regiment, brigade.  (There are secondary levels, but they do not apply to my argument).  Remember, this is not a high-resolution tactical game like a squad level-individual vehicle game is.  So low unit level and single vehicle use of smoke is not what is being portrayed.  What is being simulated is the commander at the primary levels planning.  These smoke screens are large ones which take a good concentration of smoke round to make an effective screen, and they take staff planning the occurs in advance.  This level use of smoke thus takes up most of the basic load of smoke that the unit would have on hand, thus needs to be used wisely and for good effect.  Thus, the game designer placed a severe limit on smoke to replicate the conundrum.  

In the end though, the smoke rules are poorly and the developer either didn't catch it or didn't use the rule.  It also shows lack of adequate playtesting because it should have been brought up by someone.  Again, it may have not been played by many people as it is an optional rule.

I then, can launch my lament about optional rules.  I don't like them and think games should not have them.  I say to designers, give me the game you want to design, don't meal-mouth your rulebook by being indecisive with "optional rules."    Now that said, the PG optional rules could have had a caveat saying they only can be evoked by scenario special rule and thus be a toolbox for good scenario design.

As to typing with credentials.  I think if you root around enough, you'll find out what mine are.

[Grognard Gunny]

I see good points on both side of the argument. However, for the sake of realism and to cover the caveated language: "To track usage (of smoke/illumination) place either a smoke marker or an illumination marker under the firing unit....". This seems to indicate that EACH Arty unit can fire at will up to the unit's individual limit during the game.

This would allow both massed smoke firing as well as illumination as needed.

That makes sence to me.

GG

[Grognard Gunny]

Incidentally, the rules for Smoke/Ilumination are found in the last page of Edition 4, under Optional Rules.

GG

[Juiceman]

Not sure I want to wade into this fire fight since I am late to the party....  

From the 4th Edition Rules Page 50:
 
Smoke and Illumination (4[sup]th[/sup] Rules Edition Page 50)
Unless forbidden by scenario special rules, all mortars, on-board artillery units and off-board artillery increments conducting bombardment attacks have a limited ability to fire smoke or illumination rounds instead of causing damage. A unit or off-board artillery increment firing smoke or illumination may not also conduct Bombardment or Direct fire in the same turn (place a Moved/Fired marker on it, or make a note if it's an off-board artillery increment).
 
This paragraph to me means that each individual “on board BF unit” and any “OBA increment” can fire either a smoke or illumination round instead of BF during its activation or turn. (I added the bold & underline).
 
Limited Ammunition (4[sup]th[/sup] Rules Edition Page 50)
Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game, with fractions rounded up. So a 12-turn game allows for two rounds of smoke/illumination, while a 36- turn game would allow four turns. To track usage, place either a Smoke or Illumination marker under the firing unit to indicate one usage, or note off board artillery's usage on a piece of paper.
 
Why would you have to mark the individual firing unit(s) unless it is rounds per “on board BF unit” or “OBA increment?”  Each unit has a certain number of turns or activations to fire either smoke or illumination rounds instead of your typical BF. 
 
Using the example from above of a 12 turn game, if your side has two 81mm mortars and 2 16 point OBA increments you have the potential (see below) to fire smoke or illumination rounds twice per game per unit but it is not guaranteed.
 
Question: If on the other hand it is by the turn does that mean that all of your artillery assets, both on & off, are firing smoke or illumination rounds that turn and if so how many smoke or illumination counters do you get to place on the map? Only one or up to four? What about the dice roll below, does that negate one round or four rounds. 
If played this way would make the optional rule very gray, almost black.
 
Procedure
For each unit or artillery increment firing, the active player designates a spotted target hex within range and rolls two dice. On a result of 5 or more the firing player places either a Smoke marker or an Illumination marker in the target hex.

I see it as turns of smoke/ illumination rounds per unit or increment per game provided you roll 5 or more to place or you lose the round.  

[treadasaurusrex]

That is correct.

[Blackcloud6]

No, it's not, because it is not clear.

Juiceman writes:

Smoke and Illumination (4[sup]th[/sup] Rules Edition Page 50)
Unless forbidden by scenario special rules, all mortars, on-board artillery units and off-board artillery increments conducting bombardment attacks have a limited ability to fire smoke or illumination rounds instead of causing damage. A unit or off-board artillery increment firing smoke or illumination may not also conduct Bombardment or Direct fire in the same turn (place a Moved/Fired marker on it, or make a note if it's an off-board artillery increment).
 
This paragraph to me means that each individual “on board BF unit” and any “OBA increment” can fire either a smoke or illumination round instead of BF during its activation or turn. (I added the bold & underline).

I reply: the quoted paragraph does not address how many smokes can be fired; it only establishes which units can fire smoke and states that they have limited ability.  

Juiceman writes: 

Limited Ammunition (4[sup]th[/sup] Rules Edition Page 50)
Each side in a scenario has a number of turns of smoke equal to 10 percent of the turns in the game, with fractions rounded up. So a 12-turn game allows for two rounds of smoke/illumination, while a 36- turn game would allow four turns. To track usage, place either a Smoke or Illumination marker under the firing unit to indicate one usage, or note off board artillery's usage on a piece of paper.
 
Why would you have to mark the individual firing unit(s) unless it is rounds per “on board BF unit” or “OBA increment?”  Each unit has a certain number of turns or activations to fire either smoke or illumination rounds instead of your typical BF. 

I reply:  You simply mark the number of turns smoke has been fired.  So, in the examples given in the rule, one you make two for the former example, you're done for the scenario firing smoke.  The latter example, you are done when four are marked.  Rules the number have to fire by turns.  It is very specific.  It does not say, each gun or increment has a number of turns.

One could argue, quite convincingly, I might add, since the unclear mind you, writing of the rule says, "number of tunes," in a 12-turn game all of your guns and increments can fire smoke in two tuns...meaning the turn you choose to fire smoke, they all can fire smoke.  Say you choose to fire smoke in turn 3, then all the guns/increments can fire smoke in Turn 3.  Then you can do so again in another Turn.

This, problem, is frankly due to poor rules writing, compounded by AP not willing to comment on/fix/update rules, errata, etc. post publication.  And is one, among many, why I no longer will play PG against another human.  The game is over 20 years old, into four editions and still has issues.