Combat Zones (Ranges) (R230B)

There are two zones, or ranges, of combat: dispersed and contact. When in the dispersed zone, only ranged weapons can be
used. When in contact, only hand-to-hand attacks are allowed.

Contact is determined person by person. Some persons may be in contact, while others remain dispersed. A person may be
contacted by someone, while contacting another himself (or contacting no one). Contact occurs voluntarily.

Selecting Zones
You decide which zones your characters prefer, and against which opponents (see selecting opponents, below). You cannot
attempt contact with a hireling who refuses to attack hand-to-hand (see R221).

Opponents will attempt to make hand-to-hand contact if their hand-to-hand ability exceeds their marksmanship. Otherwise
they will try to remain dispersed.

Avoiding Contact
A character may avoid contact, and force his enemy to remain at dispersed range, if he has a higher hand-to-hand combat
ability, and sacrifices any use of ranged fire weapons that round. The enemy can attempt to get into contact with someone
else on the following round.

Note: it is often helpful to list opposing persons in combat, and use pencil arrows to indicate when a character gets in contact
(erase it when he or she decides to leave contact).

Initial Zone
All combat begins at dispersed zone unless the event occurs inside a vehicle, or indicates contact zone specifically. During
the first round characters in the dispersed zone cannot close to contact. In addition, surprise may further limit actions (see
R230I).