Randy Heller - 04:43am Aug 14, 1998 PST (#11 of 14) The Dogs Will Bark but the Caravan Marches On. The following is a BW discussion between Richard Berg and Designer, Randy Heller. The questions were posed by Richard; Randy answers: 9.4 Cumulative Effects. Very strange that there is no additional effect for a unit defending behind a river in a town (2X once only). There is for a unit defending behind a river in a forest (2X +1L). Why does the defender get nothing for the added effect of the town/river? I played it "2X + 1L"... worked fine. Response - In BATTLE OF THE BULGE '81, air may not interdict a river bridge leading into a town because it was felt that, in most cases, there were multiple crossings leading into the town. For the same reason, we felt it inappropriate to give an additional defense benefit to a town located across a river. If you choose to so so, you will find it inoordinately difficult to capture such towns as Hotton and La Roche mid-game. 9.8 Advance. What does one do when one gets a DE? And was it intended that (a) a 1D1, while ostensibly a "better" result for the attacker, will provide less chance to advance than, say, a D4? And do you really want 3MP infantry to get a 4 HEX advance - one which could use 6+MP's - with a D4 result? Momentum is one thing, but that's a bit hard to swallow. Response - See left column page 6 for DE Advance After Combat movement. With a DE and 1D1, we expect the effects of battle, taking of prisoners, and mop-up to slow down the attacker's advance than say a D4 where the defender has "fled the scene," i.e., retreated. See Terrain Effects On Advance p.7. A 3MP infantry cannot advance 4 hexes unless utilizing a road. 10.4 When you flip German arty over it says "Fired"...not conducive to keeping track of who moved. (They're pretty worthless in this manner, for the first half of the game... always trying to catch up). Response - If a German artillery unit is not flipped over to its "Fired" side, it may move or fire (if in range). Historically, much of the German artillery was left back at the firing line due to lack of transport. Yes, German artillery will be attempting to keep up with the German advance in the first part of the game - quite realistic. 24. I'm sorry, but search as I may, I cannot find what one does with the "Leader's Influence" rating. Maybe it's these old eyes... but there is no indication of exactly what the LI rating does. Response - Congratulations! You were the first to spot the missing sentence. Hopefully, others will be able to infer its meaning. The "Leader's Influence" is the number of combats a leader may affect in any one players turn. The definition appeared in the original set of rules submitted to TAHGC, but was lost when they segregated out the chrome into the Optional Rules Section. Unfortunately, the proof readers and I did not catch it in final print. In my personal playtests, I can't recall using a Leader's Influence more than once in a any player turn, so I suspect it's not a serious omission. RGH Randy Heller - 12:19pm Aug 14, 1998 PST (#12 of 14) The Dogs Will Bark but the Caravan Marches On. Designer's e-mail address: Ray - You left out a letter in my e-mail address. RGHeller50@aol.com I will gladly answer any BITTER WOODS questions and host f-t-f opponents in the D.C. Beltway area.