G REAT B ATTLES OF THE A MERICA C IVIL W AR Module 6: Line of Sight

1. GREAT BATTLESOF THEAMERICA CIVIL WARModule 6: Line of Sight with Russ Gifford

2. GBACW Line of Sight Goals for this Module • With this module, we’ll cover ‘line of sight’ (LOS). You will become familiar with: • What blocks line of sight • How to hills work in GBACW • How to use the LOS chart

3. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight To shoot at anything in GBACW, you have to be able to see the target! “Line of sight” (LOS) means the direct line that connects the center of the hex of the sighting unit to the center of the hex of the target. Anything that line touches must be evaluated as a potential block!

4. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Blocks • Adjacent units may always see one another. • Trees, hills and other troop units that are between two units on the same level will block LOS.

5. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight The Terrain Effects Chart lists terrain that blocks LOS.

6. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Rules Terrain or troopson the same level as the sighting unit and the target will block LOS. But – if at least one of these three is on a different level there may be a clear line of sight!

7. GBACW Line of Sight In this game, the darkest color is highest terrain – white is lowest. Hills and Flatlands – what can you see?

8. GREAT BATTLES OF THE AMERICA CIVIL WAR The Terrain Key chart shows us the height information.

9. GBACW Line of Sight The numbers below show the heights. 0’ 25’ 50’ 75’ 100’ 125’

10. GBACW Line of Sight Also remember that any hex with two levels is always at the LOWER level!

11. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Notice the ‘crest’ line – where two levels meet. This Infantry unit is on the LOWER of the two levels.

12. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight This is a gradual crest. These lines mark a steep crest.

13. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Note : crests block LOS only if neither unit is higher than the crest and neither occupies the crest hex.

14. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight The Infantry in hex 2727 cannot see the unit in 2526. It is at the same height as hex 2626, and the 28th NY is at a lower height!

15. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight But an Infantry in hex 2625 can see the unit in 2728. Why? The LOS follows the hexspine, and 2726 is same level as the 28 NY. LOS is clear!

16. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Quiz Using the Terrain Key, what is the height of this unit? What height is the hill in 2225? What height is this area?

17. GBACW Line of Sight Matching colors, the unit’s hex is 75’. The higher is 100’

18. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight What height is this area? 50’

19. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Special Notes A unit in 2225 could see down the slope to a unit in 2227. The height of the hill lets the sighting unit see ‘over’ the 1 Tenn!

20. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight Special Note: There are also additional terrain that does NOT block LOS, but hinders it: • Orchards • Light woods • Brush Watch the Exclusive Rules section to see how these apply!

21. GBACW Line of Sight Line of Sight LOS is easier than it seems! And there is good news – in this packet is an Excel worksheet that figures LOS for you!

22. GBACW Line of Sight For Further Information For further information slide: Read Section 9.7 (all) and use the chart on the back of the Standard Rules for the GREAT BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.

23. GBACW Line of Sight Coming Next Module Trust us – LOS is easier than it seems! In the next module, we’ll get you fired up as we take target practice - small arms and cannons in GBACW! See you at Module 7 – Fire Combat!

24. GREAT BATTLESOF THEAMERICA CIVIL WARModule 7: Fire Combat with Russ Gifford

25. GBACW Fire Combat Goals for this Module • With this module, we cover the heart of the game system - fire combat. You will become familiar with: • Weapons and Range Effects • Combat Strength (initial and current) • Terrain Effects on Combat • Results of Fire Combat

26. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Sequence of Play: Player turn: Initial Command Phase Movement Phase Defensive Fire Offensive Fire Phase Retreat Before Melee Melee Phase Ammo Re-Supply Rally Phase Final Command Phase As you remember, there are two fire phases each player turn. Defensive Firenon-moving player Offensive Firemoving player

27. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat • The GBACW system cross-references: • The Firing unit’s Current Strength • Their weapons • The Range to the Target. • This determines the actual firepower delivered on the target.

28. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat This is an Infantry unit in Line. In Line formation means it is ready to fire.

29. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat - Example The unit has an initial combat strengthof 5. It is armed with Rifles.

30. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Five is also it’s current strength, since there is no other strength marker beneath the unit.

31. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat • In the GBACW system: • Units have different weapons types • Different weapons have different ranges • Each weapon has a different strength modifier at those various ranges. • The Range Effects Chart lists all these factors.

32. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat The Range Effects Chart will list: All the Artillery pieces present in the game. ALL the small arms in the game.

33. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat At one hex range, Rifle units’ current strength are doubled.

34. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat At one hex range, Rifle units’ current strength are doubled.

35. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat At 2 and 3 hexes, Rifles are normal strength.

36. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat At 4 and 5 hexes Rifles are halved.

37. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat • Taken together • The Firing unit’s Current Strength • Their weapons • The Range to the Target. • determine the actual firepower delivered on the target.

38. GBACW Fire Combat Facing - Review • Infantry in line • unlimbered artillery • may ONLY fire out three frontal hexsides.

39. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat • Important Limit on GBACW Fire Combat: • Small Arms Limited to 4 points per Hexside! • NOTE: Artillery is NOT small arms - NO Point Limit!

40. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Quiz If an enemy unit was in 2326, the 1st Tenn would put what amount of firepower on the target?

41. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Quiz 8 FP Maximum Why?

42. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Quiz Only 4 initial small arms strength factors may fire out a single frontal hexside. So the total firepower at hex 2326 is 8 FP.

43. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat • Once you use the Range Effects Chart to determine the firepower directed at the unit, move to the Fire Chart to make modifications for: • Terrain • Facing • Unit type and size

44. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Chart Adjustments for Terrain, unit facing (Enfilade fire) and size (Unit Density) are made on the Fire Chart. Fire Chart

45. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat - Example If the 1st Tenn fired 4 initial small arms strength factors into 2326, it would fire on the 8 FP column.

46. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Chart 8 FP of Small Arms fire is resolved on the 7 to 10 FP column. Fire Chart

47. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat - Example But if the target was in 2225, which column would be used?

48. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat - Terrain Note the Terrain in 2225: It is Up Crest from the 1st Tenn. 100’ 75’

49. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat - Terrain According to the Terrain Effects on Combat Chart: Up Crest Shifts the FP one column to the left.

50. GBACW Fire Combat Fire Combat Chart 8 FP of Small Arms fire with one shift to the left is now resolved on the 4 to 6 FP column. Fire Chart