Sighting
Line of Sight (LOS)

Maximum sighting range between two non-moving units in clear terrain in clear weather is 100 inches. Spotters for Off-Board artillery have a sight range of 150 inches. A vehicle in the open is automatically sighted at 30" regardless of any applicable modifiers for moving (smoke is the only exception). These rules apply also to "tokens." NOTE: when tokens are used and a "dummy" lies between a firer and a sighted piece, a shot will be allowed to be taken at the sighted piece, even if it is another token.

If the result is a KIA, the token is removed from the game and the firer will be informed at the end of the game what was taken out. For sighting purposes, a gun and its towing vehicle are considered one target. For firing purposes, they are considered two targets.

There are two categories of unit size: Large, and Small (in cover). Small units are infantry, and any unit having a -15 (or less) size modifier. Large units are all other.

For Large Units: Basis sight range is 100 inches. To determine if sighting is possible, measure the distance between the "sighter" and the target, add the applicable modifier and roll two percentile dice. The roll must be equal to or greater than the distance plus any modifiers

For Small Units: Small units in the open, moving or not, are treated as large units for sighting purposes. For small units in cover, sighting is based on a system of minimum distance between the target and sighter and fixed percentages. On the following table, the top listed distance is the farthest distance the sighter can be away from the target and have any chance of a sight. Roll two percentile dice. To sight, the dice roll must equal or be less than the percentage shown.

A two level difference in height results in a "shadow zone" of 3" and a one level height difference results in a shadow zone of 6". The following are shadow zone definitions (a shadow hides troops and vehicles):

From the top of a 1 story building: obstructions block LOS. (note - The rules book includes several diagrams at this point that are not included at this time.

From a level 1 hill to:
a. a one story building - LOS is blocked.
b. woods, 2 story building, any level hill - blocked.
c. an AFV obstructed by another - 3" shadow zone unless the target is two or more size categories smaller (no LOS in that case).

From a level 2 hill to:
a. a 1 story building or level 1 hill- shadow length is 6 inches.
b. woods, 2 story building - blocked.
c. other level 2 hill or level 3 hill - blocked past the crestline.
d. an AFV obstructed by another - 2" shadow zone unless the target is two or more size categories smaller than the obstructing AFV.

From a level 3 hill to:
a. a one story building - shadow length is 3".
b. woods, or 2 story building - 6".
c. a level 1 hill - 3" past the crest.
d. a level 2 hill - 6" past the crest.
e. an AFV obstructed by another - no shadow zone unless the target is at least three size categories smaller than the obstructing AFV.

Note that a one-story building is considered a "1" level obstruction. The top of trees and the top of a two-story building are at the same level as the crest of a level 2 hill.

An AFV is considered a "1/2 level" obstruction.

Crest Lines

If a sighter is behind the crest line he cannot see beyond the crest. For a sighter (person or vehicle) to see beyond a crestline, he must be touching the line.

a. Troops touching a crestline are considered behind a wall.
b. Vehicles with their front just touching a crestline are considered hull down (II). Vehicles with their fronts just over the crest are hull down (I). Vehicles more than 1" over the crest get no hull down status (1/4" in 1/285 scale). Refer to Gun Depression (below) for firing, if allowed.

Identification Procedure

When hidden units or tokens are used, the following procedure is used to identify them: Measure the distance between the sighter and the target and add any modifiers that apply such as sighter or target moving. Roll two percentile dice. If the roll is equal to or greater than the distance originally measured plus any modifiers, the sighted unit is placed in the game. Tokens are replaced with the actual unit whenever they move to within 30 inches (in the open) of an enemy unit.

Hidden Units

1. At the discretion of the judge any game may be started with the use of tokens or hidden initial emplacement.

2. Tokens representing each individual unit are distributed (troops in/on vehicles are not represented until the unit carrying them is sighted). Dummy tokens are distributed at the judge's discretion. At no time is the player allowed to operate a "company" of dummy counters. Dummies may only be employed in the company of real units.

3. Any type of unit may be placed in the game prior to the start if so designated. These units must be located as precisely as possible on a map and all locations must be tracked carefully by the player and the judge. It is the primary responsibility of the player to notify the judge when a possible line of sight exists. At such time, (Sighting Phase), opponents are asked to turn away so that LOS can be checked by the judge and the owning player.

If LOS is established, the player with the hidden unit may plot fire against any unit in his LOS without the target having a chance to return fire for that turn. The hidden unit is placed on the board immediately after firing and remains thereafter. The exception to this rule occurs in a game where the judge has specifically imposed a radio penalty or the targeted unit does not have a radio and/or is out of LOS of any other friendly unit. In this case, if the unit in question is destroyed, it simply vanishes from the game board and the hidden unit remains hidden.

Smoke (sighting through)

Smoke is treated simply as another modifier to sight. However, instead of a fixed number, the modifier is determined by rolling two percentile dice. This number is then added to the distance between the sighter and the target. This new "distance" then becomes the new number which must be exceeded to see the target as per the basic sighting rules. For example, if the distance to the target is 60 inches over clear terrain, normally a 60 or greater must be rolled to identify the target. However, if smoke is between, and the dice roll is 28, the new roll which must be exceeded to obtain a sighting is 88 or larger (60+28=88). If the smoke modifier makes the new distance larger than 100 inches, no sight is possible.

EXCEPTION: A vehicle hit by a smoke shell (as a desperation measure) has a 50% chance of being "blinded" for one turn if hit on the front with a front or front side shot or in the side from a front side shot. This applies to the direction the turret is turned (if the AFV is hit in the side and the turret is turned in that direction, this rule applies). If blinded, a -15% modifier is applied to the "blinded" AFV's shot that turn.

Note: other applicable modifiers also apply, such as sighter or target moving. A unit covered by its own smoke has the smoke modifier applied to its sightings, but the modifier to the dice roll for units attempting to sight the smoked unit is halved. If the attempt to sight the unit is successful, a shot may be taken. A -15% modifier is applied to the shot.

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