Rules clarification: elite infantry

[AikiPhil]

I've been playing the game pretty much since it came out and I've been wanting to get a clarification for a while regarding elite infantry. In the combat modifiers it states that if half of the defending force is elite infantry then you get the modifier. My question is: is this half of the entire defending force? Or is it half of the defending infantry? For a long time I assumed it was half of the defending infantry, but the rules make it sound like it's half of the entire defending force.

Thanks

Phil

[spacerumsfeld]

I am almost certain it is half of the defending force. One four-pip elite infantry, one three-pip nonelite infantry, and a two-pip armor would NOT get the elite infantry defense bonus (although they would get the armor bonus).

Is that correct, Shenandoah?

[AikiPhil]

Thanks for replying spacerumsfeld. I think you're quite likely right. I just wanted definitive clarification because it can make a huge difference to the best way to play the game. The combined -2 that comes from correctly combining armour and elite infantry is hugely important. With my (it seems) incorrect assumption of 'half infantry being elite' I've probably not been getting the elite modifier as often as I should. I do find the rule a little odd anyway though, since it can be difficult to organise things to always get both bonuses due to the way hits are allocated in combat. But then I guess that represents the fact that a commander is never fully in charge of what's going on!

Phil

[s_nkarp]

SpaceRumsfeld is correct: the bonus applies is at least half the total defending force is elite infantry.

Whenever in doubt you can check the icons in the combat preview, which will be bold only if they are in force in the particular battle.

[AikiPhil]

Thanks for the clarification. I feel much happier now! I wasn't always convinced that I could trust the battle icons, but if you say they're correct then that's great

[s_nkarp]

The bold icons do accurately reflect the modifiers that apply. In sequels we'll probably omit the dim icons, as that has confused some people.

[AikiPhil]

That's good to know! Thanks