Question on overstacking....

[GBS]

How does this work and what effect does it have in WitE? Vic in his Decisive Campaigns does a good job with this I feel. In the Wargamer AAR it mentions Rostov being attacked by three full Corps. Seems like a lot of men and machines in a relatively small area. Just trying to get a feel. Thanks.

[Joel Billings]

You can stack 3 units in a hex. Starting in 1942, the Soviets can start building various types of Corps units, so eventually they can stack 3 corps in a hex. The Germans can only manage 3 divisions in a hex. Support units can be added to these units so you can beef them up some.

[ComradeP]

90.000 men in a 10x10 mile hex is a high density, but it's not impossible in practice. The best the Axis can get is about 50.000-54.000 men.

As Joel indicated, overstacking a hex is not really possible as there's a fixed limit on the number of on-map units in the hex. You can overburden HQ's, but you can't overstack a hex. It is possible for more on-map units to participate in the battle if they're in reserve mode and have enough MP's to participate in the battle. Keep in mind that units in reserve mode that participate in the battle can take serious losses and rout. Placing Soviets units in reserve mode in 1941 outside of an urban area is usually a quick way to have the Axis break both your first and second lines of defence.

[GBS]

Joel, how many units can attack a single hex? I f you had three units attacking a hex from three sides...wouldn't that be 9 units actually moving into that hex to attacK?

[Joel Billings]

Yes, you can attack with as many units as are adjacent and have MPs.

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: GBS

Joel, how many units can attack a single hex? I f you had three units attacking a hex from three sides...wouldn't that be 9 units actually moving into that hex to attacK?

How many sides HEX has? [;)]

That many HEXEs you can attack from (and in best case scenario - attack from 6 HEXes and for each HEX with 3 units = 18 units)!

But it is important to notice that units do not move into won HEX after successful attack - you have to manually move units after battle...


Leo "Apollo11"

[ComradeP]

A ~25 unit (attacker+defender+reserves) battle would be interesting, but it's highly unlikely, unless you split divisions up. I believe the most I've seen thus far for a divisional sized battle was a 15 division battle (12 Rifle divisions vs 3 German divisions).

To add something to Leo's comment: hex ownership does change if you force a defender to retreat/rout/shatter/surrender, but no units actually physically move into the hex as Leo stated.

[TPM]

ORIGINAL: GBS

Joel, how many units can attack a single hex? I f you had three units attacking a hex from three sides...wouldn't that be 9 units actually moving into that hex to attacK?

Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me like the OP's question isn't being totally answered...the question is: Is there some kind of penalty on the attacker for using too many units in an attack? It's been answered that 3 units can be in a hex at one tim and that a hex can be attacked from all sides (which would result in 18 units attacking a single hex...yes, I know it doesn't happen that often, but theoretically it can happen), but is there any kind of penalty for that? The basis for the penalty would be overcrowding, friendly fire (I know that's more of a tactical/squad-based thing), confused communication, etc. Thanks.

[Flaviusx]

The only penalty involved with having too many units attack is if too many different commands are involved. Command related penalties can lower your combat values by as much as 30%, so it is important to try to coordinate your attacks so that participating units are from as few headquarters as possible, or failing that, from headquarters near the same position in the hierarchy.

Generally speaking, once units from different Army Groups or Fronts get into the fight, the penalties increase. This applies to both the defender and attacker, note.

[The SNAFU]

So what if the hexes around a defending hex were all at maximum stacking and the defending stack (also at maximum stacking) was forced to retreat. Since all surrounding hexes are at maximum stacking would the defenders be destroyed since they cant retreat through overstacked hexes or can they retreat through but not stop in hexes with maiximum stacks?

[Flaviusx]

They will continue to retreat until they reach a hex where they can stack normally and take additional damage in the process.

[The SNAFU]

Got it, thanks!