Combat Ratio Differential Codes


To determine which is the appropriate Combat Results Table column to use in resolving a combat, cross-index the defender’s strength with the attacker’s strength to arrive at a letter code. These codes (A through L, excluding I) correspond to the 11 ratio/differential columns on the Combat Results Table. Once a column has been determined, refer to the Combat Results Table and apply any applicable column shift modifiers. For instance, if an attacking strength of 4 were to attack a defending force of 3, the letter code on the Combat Ratio/Differential Determination Chart would be F {the +1, +2 column}; if the defender occupied a forest hex, he would receive a one-column shift to the left, and the combat would be resolved on the E column (0). The code (-) indicates that if the attacker makes the attack his force will be eliminated, and the defender will be completely unaffected. The codes (L2, L3, L4) indicate the number of defensive shifts (to the left) that are required to reduce the ratio to less than 4 to 1 {the L column, on the far right of the CRT}. For instance, if 21 SP’s attack 4 SP’s occupying a swamp hex, the result from the Combat Ratio/Differential Determination Chart is L2, which indicates that the L column (4 to 1) will be used unless the defender receives at least two column shifts. The column shift for swamp is 2; therefore, the combat is resolved on the K column (3 to 1). If the attacker had crossed an un-navigable river hexside, the column shift would have been 3, and the combat would have been resolved on the J column (2 to 1). The code (o) indicates that no matter how many shifts are applied, the attack will be an overrun. The codes (o1, o2, o3, o4) indicate the number of column shifts necessary to prevent an overrun from occurring. If the shifts are available, then the combat is resolved on the L column (4 to 1). For instance, 9 SP’s attack 1 SP; the result from the above table is (o2). Thus, if the 1 SP occupies a swamp hex (2 shifts), the combat is resolved on the L column. If at least 2 shifts are not available, then the combat is resolved as an overrun.