A number of players have taken time to comment that they did not feel the current TCS Point Fire Table did justice to some tank vs. tank engagements. Some came with no more than a "Panthers are godlike" attitude and I had to dismiss their arguments as subjective. Others, however, gave a good case for a new point table which would increase the difference in probability based on the differential-in effect it would change faster as you moved away from a zero differential. Taken it its simplest form, this too would not work. The better tanks (out there at the +3 or more level) would literally wipe weak ones off the face of the earth. The problem was, in that area, that these tanks would be trading excessive armor penetration for increased hit probability, which is wrong. A more correct table would tail off rapidly in attacks at less than 0, but would maintain a slower increase on the positive side.

A second problem was that there are only so many numbers available to use on two dice and the original table was limited by them. The proposed table below uses three dice (3-18) to help with that limitation. A problem generated by this change was the various modifiers applied to the original table. Were they still valid? After some examination, I found that the differences in probability were not all that great between the two tables and only a little accuracy was sacrificed by using the existing modifiers. This effect is greatest with large modifiers-but then, I never liked they way they affected the table at the extremes anyway.

For those of you who dislike the current TCS table, use the one below and send me some feedback. If it is liked, it may be incorporated into the 3rd Edition rules.

Many thanks to those who wrote and asked about this problem- for bringing it to my attention and especially for giving alternative ideas too. Many thanks to CPT Mark Stricker and Rod Miller for their suggestions and help.

Also provided is the exact percentages of chance on which the table is based for players who might want to use percentile dice to avoid the slight probability distortions caused by the limitations imposed on the available probabilities with three dice.

Tactical Combat Series Suggested Tables:

What do YOU think?

Point Fire Table

Use modifiers from original table, roll three dice instead of two.

Range	Firer's Attack Minus Target's Defense
	+5 or More	+4,+3	+2	+1	0	-1	-2	-3	-4	- 5
2 or Less	6	8	9	10	11	12	13	13	14	15
Close	9	10	10	11	12	13	13	14	15	16
Nominal	11	12	12	13	13	14	15	16	16	18
Long	13	14	14	15	15	16	17	18	18	P

Roll # or more to kill (after modifiers). P means shot is incapable of effect.

Note that shots at less than -5 are automatically of no effect at any range and are not allowed. The above table has been slightly tailored ("creative rounding") to give a desired effect of limiting the effectiveness Of Poor shots at great ranges. The base probabilities are below, but have not been re-aligned as are the above. I would suggest that the above table be used or that players carefully tailor fire below to be more like the above.

Point Fire Table Probabilities (Unmodified)

Range	Firer's Attack Minus Target's Defense
	+5 or More	+4,+3	+2	+1	0	-1	-2	-3	-4	- 5
2 or Less	95	84	71	60	48	40	31	24	16	8
Close	75	66	56	47	38	31	25	19	13	6
Nominal	50	44	38	31	25	21	16	13	8	4
Long	20	18	15	13	10	8	7	5	3	2

Terrain Effects on Combat

Terrain	Target Description
	Area Fire Table		Point Fire Table
	Fire Mode	Move Mode (carrier mounted)	Fire Mode (not AT gun)	Move Mode	Fire Mode (AT Gun only)
Open	NE(-2)	+2(NE)	+2	+1	+1(-2)
Swamp	-1(-2)	NE(-l)	+3	+3	NE(-2)
Woods/Hedge	-1(-2)	+1(-1)	NE	-1	-1(-2)
Buildings	-1(-2)	NE(4)	-1	NE	-1(-2)
Forest	-2(-3)	-1(-l)	-2	+2	-2(-3)
City/Village	-3(-4) #-Normal (#)-Dug in	+1(-2) #-Normal (#)- Suppressed or paralyzed	-2	-1	-3(4) #-Normal (#) Dug in

More Tactical Combat Series Wargame

TCS Forum Introduction
Some TCS Ideas
TCS Terrain Effects Chart
TCS New Fire Point Table