For everyone who’s interested, here’s a short primer on units in Unity of Command.
Units represent Axis divisions, Soviet corps or equivalent units regardless of their actual command level designation. All units are named, except for some of the Soviet rifle units. This is because many Soviet formations at the time omit a corps-level command for rifle troops. In these cases, names of armies are used.
Units of one type all share the same basic characteristics: attack, defense, movement and armor. Each type is represented by an icon that best illustrates either the uniform of the troops or the prevailing equipment.
Strength
Unit’s manpower and equipment are equally divided into steps. The maximum number of steps in any unit is 7. Each of the steps can be active or suppressed (grey). Active steps represent that part of the unit currently in combat readiness.
In addition to the 7 regular steps, a unit may have one specialist step. The specialist step represents a smaller specialized unit attached to a major formation – it is there to illustrate the combined arms nature of combat on the Eastern Front.
Movement
At the beginning of turn, each unit is given full movement points (MPs) equal to “Normal Movement”. Unit spends MPs to move, with the cost depending on terrain and weather. A unit can make multiple moves during a turn, as long as it has MPs left.
Units also get one action point (AP). The AP can be used to attack an enemy unit; or converted into additional MPs.
Experience
Unit experience can range from green to elite. We use the experience level to simulate the really quite different behaviour these formations exhibited on the battlefield. Green units are prone to cases of panzer fright for example (credit will). On the other hand, elite units hold up quite well, even when surrounded and out of supply – at least for a while.
Combat, Supply etc.
More about these in future posts. As a teaser… armor will get you a long way in open terrain. Being out of supply is not good, and the effects of this really kick in after a couple of turns. As a result, this game sort of does feel like the East Front, with both sides constantly at each others throats, looking to form a kessel or break out of one.
Anyway, at least that’s we think it’s like.
Stay tuned…