What is the effective range?

[Peresvet]

What is the effective range option in SOP? I presume it is an engagement range that is somewhat lower than the maximum range of a weapon, but I have no clue how much it is lower and what it is affected by. Is it some hardcoded range for a weapon? Is it a range where accuracy of a weapon is above certain threshold? Or is it a range where there is a high chance of killing the enemy? I couldn't find anything relevant in the game manual.

One of the reasons I ask this question is that I believe I've seen my infantry with EFF range firing their small arms at the armored vehicles, which doesn't look very effective to me. Does effective range take into account the target type and its orientation? The same armor-piercing weapon can be effective from behind the tank, but quite useless against its front armor.

[Veitikka]

The effective range is a distance where the weapon accuracy is 50% or greater.

[Peresvet]

I see. A bit too simplistic, but at least easily predictable algorithm. Thanks for the explanation!

A kind of related question: What does the slow rate of fire do? Does it further reduce engagement range and holds fire against too distant or too armored targets? Does it increase accuracy or chance of a weak point hit? Or does it just increase time to fire so the troops cannot fight with full strength even when the enemy is next tile to them?

[Veitikka]

It makes the unit fire slower, that's all. I think it was requested by the players as a way to save ammunition.

[Peresvet]

Gotcha. Thanks!