The following is presented as an alternative spotting system for Command Decision II. It uses size of vehicles and weapons, as well as the troop rating to determine autospot distances. Observer Modifiers Shift left/right by columns Moving Right 1 AFV Front Right 1 AFV Flank/Rear Right 2 Recon Left 1 Target Modifiers Shift up/down by line Green/Trained Increase 1 In cover Decrease 3 Moving Increase 2 Firing 20mm or less weapon Increase 3 Firing 21-57mm weapon Increase 4 Firing 58-90mm weapon Increase 5 Firing 91mm or greater weapon Increase 6 Firing any recoilless or rocket weapon Increase 6 Mortar Firing Decrease 1 Handoff Decrease 2 To use this chart, cross-index the observer with the target class; this is the distance at which the target may be spotted. However, the observer and target classes are modified by situation and activities. The observer's situation or status will result in moving the observer's column to the left or right. The target's situation will move it up and down by line. The starting points for target types and observer status are indicated on the chart. The handoff modifier applies when friends have spotted an enemy stand that the observer could not normally spot. Thus, by directing a friendly stand, the spotting range is increased by two columns, but not made automatic. Examples A stand of German Infantry (Regulars) is moving toward a woods line. Within the woods, the Soviets are moving a 76.2L16 infantry gun into position. The Germans announce that they are observing the woods, and so the Soviet player consults the chart. He cross-indexes the Germans at Column C, and then shifts it right to D as the Germans are moving. The target begins at Row 6 (as a small vehicle) but is decreased by 3 for being in cover, and then increased by 2 as the weapon is moving. The final result has the observer at D, cross-indexed with the target on Line 5. If the Germans are within 15" of the Soviet weapon, it is spotted. If they are over 15" away, they are not spotted. A Polish 37mm AT gun is hiding in cover. It observes a German column of vehicles approaching in the open at 50" (an experienced observer looking at large vehicles moving in the open), but holds its fire. The armored column must pass within 3"of the hidden weapon to spot it. (Experienced TroopsColumn C, Moving, AFVs spotting to the front, target is a small vehicle in cover.) When the gun opens fire, the tanks will spot it if within 20" as the weapon firing will shift it four lines down. If the AFVs halt, they can spot the firing weapon at 25". While it is true that this system removes some of the uncertainty of rolling for spotting, the increase in speed of play is quite noticeable. In addition, there is none of the "I am spotting in the woods" and then taking note of how many dice rolls are rolled for the spot. Please give the system some thought before dismissing it as too simplistic. The playability tradeoff is considerable. Any feedback concerning ranges, modifiers, etc., would be very welcome. Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Quarterly # 6 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com