Global 2nd edition Q+A ( AAG40.2)

@Krieghund:

The rules do indeed say there may be no change to combat movements after the defender elects to intercept: “The number of defending fighters that will intercept is decided by the owning player(s) after the attacker’s Combat Move phase is completed and before the Conduct Combat phase begins.”  It is the same situation as scrambling.

I do agree this is in the rulebook.  However, it does not specifically preclude a change to combat movements as it does in the scramble section.  and again, if the defender elects to intercept is said, not once the defender gives an intercept answer.

precision in the rulebook is important, and i thought since it was precise in this case that it was intended to be so.

@Boldfresh:

@Krieghund:

The rules do indeed say there may be no change to combat movements after the defender elects to intercept: “The number of defending fighters that will intercept is decided by the owning player(s) after the attacker�s Combat Move phase is completed and before the Conduct Combat phase begins.”  It is the same situation as scrambling.

I do agree this is in the rulebook.  However, it does not specifically preclude a change to combat movements as it does in the scramble section.  and again, if the defender elects to intercept is said, not once the defender gives an intercept answer.

precision in the rulebook is important, and i thought since it was precise in this case that it was intended to be so.

my point is this krieg - if overwhelming force is sent into a zone and the defending player says no intercept, i cannot see good rationale for forcing that combat movement to stand if the attacker wants to take 29 planes into the zone to attack the potential 1 ftr scramble rather than 30.  if the rule were written that the move is locked in the moment the defender gave a scramble decision, it would give the defender the RIGHT to enforce absolutely no changes.

one player has expressed concern that an attacker could game the system by progressively sending less and less into a zone to get information about when the scramble may actually occur.  ok fine, but the rule would give protection to that player as it is currently written, since the scramble of a single plane LOCKS in the move technically.

@Boldfresh:

@Boldfresh:

@Krieghund:

The rules do indeed say there may be no change to combat movements after the defender elects to intercept: “The number of defending fighters that will intercept is decided by the owning player(s) after the attacker�s Combat Move phase is completed and before the Conduct Combat phase begins.”  It is the same situation as scrambling.

I do agree this is in the rulebook.  However, it does not specifically preclude a change to combat movements as it does in the scramble section.  and again, if the defender elects to intercept is said, not once the defender gives an intercept answer.

precision in the rulebook is important, and i thought since it was precise in this case that it was intended to be so.

my point is this krieg - if overwhelming force is sent into a zone and the defending player says no intercept, i cannot see good rationale for forcing that combat movement to stand if the attacker wants to take 29 planes into the zone to attack the potential 1 ftr scramble rather than 30.  if the rule were written that the move is locked in the moment the defender gave a scramble decision, it would give the defender the RIGHT to enforce absolutely no changes.

one player has expressed concern that an attacker could game the system by progressively sending less and less into a zone to get information about when the scramble may actually occur.  ok fine, but the rule would give protection to that player as it is currently written, since the scramble of a single plane LOCKS in the move technically.

and such extreme action would likely come after repeated issues with another player in an unfriendly game.  why give an unreasonable player the right in the rules to be a jerk and enforce and entire round of combat moves by simply saying “no scramble”.  for this reason, i thought this language was precisely written and brilliant.  at least if the player wants to be a jerk and lock in the move, it costs him a fighter if interpreted precisely as written.

@Boldfresh:

I do agree this is in the rulebook.  However, it does not specifically preclude a change to combat movements as it does in the scramble section.  and again, if the defender elects to intercept is said, not once the defender gives an intercept answer.

precision in the rulebook is important, and i thought since it was precise in this case that it was intended to be so.

Regardless of how you want to split hairs with the language (and you’re splitting them pretty finely) regarding scrambling/intercepting versus deciding whether to scramble/intercept, the fact remains that both scrambling and intercepting are done after all of the attacker’s combat moves are completed.  Therefore, per the rules, the attacker must declare his/her combat moves to be complete before the defender decides whether or not to scramble/intercept.  The statement about changing moves in the scramble rules is for emphasis, rather than modification.  With or without it, no decision is made before the attacker has finished moving.

@Boldfresh:

my point is this krieg - if overwhelming force is sent into a zone and the defending player says no intercept, i cannot see good rationale for forcing that combat movement to stand if the attacker wants to take 29 planes into the zone to attack the potential 1 ftr scramble rather than 30.  if the rule were written that the move is locked in the moment the defender gave a scramble decision, it would give the defender the RIGHT to enforce absolutely no changes.Â

The rule is written that the move is locked in when all the attacker’s moves are complete (that is the definition of “complete”), before the scramble/intercept decision.

@Boldfresh:

one player has expressed concern that an attacker could game the system by progressively sending less and less into a zone to get information about when the scramble may actually occur.  ok fine, but the rule would give protection to that player as it is currently written, since the scramble of a single plane LOCKS in the move technically.

The attacker’s declaration that his/her movement is complete locks it in, which is required before a decision is made regarding scrambling/interception.  As I said, you might allow changes in a friendly game.  The situation you describe is an abuse, and I would give no such leeway under those circumstances.

@Krieghund:

@Boldfresh:

I do agree this is in the rulebook. � However, it does not specifically preclude a change to combat movements as it does in the scramble section. � and again, if the defender elects to intercept is said, not once the defender gives an intercept answer.

precision in the rulebook is important, and i thought since it was precise in this case that it was intended to be so.

Regardless of how you want to split hairs with the language (and you’re splitting them pretty finely) regarding scrambling/intercepting versus deciding whether to scramble/intercept, the fact remains that both scrambling and intercepting are done after all of the attacker’s combat moves are completed.  Therefore, per the rules, the attacker must declare his/her combat moves to be complete before the defender decides whether or not to scramble/intercept.  The statement about changing moves in the scramble rules is for emphasis, rather than modification.  With or without it, no decision is made before the attacker has finished moving.

@Boldfresh:

my point is this krieg - if overwhelming force is sent into a zone and the defending player says no intercept, i cannot see good rationale for forcing that combat movement to stand if the attacker wants to take 29 planes into the zone to attack the potential 1 ftr scramble rather than 30.�  if the rule were written that the move is locked in the moment the defender gave a scramble decision, it would give the defender the RIGHT to enforce absolutely no changes.�

The rule is written that the move is locked in when all the attacker’s moves are complete (that is the definition of “complete”), before the scramble/intercept decision.

@Boldfresh:

one player has expressed concern that an attacker could game the system by progressively sending less and less into a zone to get information about when the scramble may actually occur.�  ok fine, but the rule would give protection to that player as it is currently written, since the scramble of a single plane LOCKS in the move technically.

The attacker’s declaration that his/her movement is complete locks it in, which is required before a decision is made regarding scrambling/interception.  As I said, you might allow changes in a friendly game.  The situation you describe is an abuse, and I would give no such leeway under those circumstances.

so your practical solution would be to tell the defender that if he believes the attacker was intentionally abusing the rules then do not allow it, but otherwise you would urge the defender to allow the changed combat moves?

@Krieghund:

@Boldfresh:

I do agree this is in the rulebook. � However, it does not specifically preclude a change to combat movements as it does in the scramble section. � and again, if the defender elects to intercept is said, not once the defender gives an intercept answer.

precision in the rulebook is important, and i thought since it was precise in this case that it was intended to be so.

Regardless of how you want to split hairs with the language (and you’re splitting them pretty finely) regarding scrambling/intercepting versus deciding whether to scramble/intercept, the fact remains that both scrambling and intercepting are done after all of the attacker’s combat moves are completed.  Therefore, per the rules, the attacker must declare his/her combat moves to be complete before the defender decides whether or not to scramble/intercept.  The statement about changing moves in the scramble rules is for emphasis, rather than modification.  With or without it, no decision is made before the attacker has finished moving.

@Boldfresh:

my point is this krieg - if overwhelming force is sent into a zone and the defending player says no intercept, i cannot see good rationale for forcing that combat movement to stand if the attacker wants to take 29 planes into the zone to attack the potential 1 ftr scramble rather than 30.�  if the rule were written that the move is locked in the moment the defender gave a scramble decision, it would give the defender the RIGHT to enforce absolutely no changes.�

The rule is written that the move is locked in when all the attacker’s moves are complete (that is the definition of “complete”), before the scramble/intercept decision.

@Boldfresh:

one player has expressed concern that an attacker could game the system by progressively sending less and less into a zone to get information about when the scramble may actually occur.�  ok fine, but the rule would give protection to that player as it is currently written, since the scramble of a single plane LOCKS in the move technically.

The attacker’s declaration that his/her movement is complete locks it in, which is required before a decision is made regarding scrambling/interception.  As I said, you might allow changes in a friendly game.  The situation you describe is an abuse, and I would give no such leeway under those circumstances.

alright, i just saw where you say that the “definition” of the word complete is Locked in.  i just have to respectfully disagree with you there.  If the rules are intended to be precise on the issue, they should be so.  It is misleading to have the statement in the rules that “the attacker may not change any combat movements or attacks after the defender has scrambled” if the combat move is “complete”, ie, locked in, when it is presented to the defender.  this is contradictory, and i’m not trying to be difficult.  it would be an entirely superfluous statement that could only mislead, right?

by extension, would you say that if i present a move to my opponent where there are no scramble or intercept choices that is is within the defender’s rights BY RULE to not allow ANY changes to the combat move even if dice have not been rolled?  by your definition of “complete” being “locked in” would that not be the inevitable conclusion?

@Boldfresh:

so your practical solution would be to tell the defender that if he believes the attacker was intentionally abusing the rules then do not allow it, but otherwise you would urge the defender to allow the changed combat moves?

My practical solution is to use your judgment.  If you can’t trust your opponent to not game the leeway, play by the letter of the rules and don’t give it in the first place.

@Boldfresh:

alright, i just saw where you say that the “definition” of the word complete is Locked in.  i just have to respectfully disagree with you there.  If the rules are intended to be precise on the issue, they should be so.

I’m sorry, but you’re not making sense here.  “Complete” means done.  (Per Webster’s Dictionary, “having all necessary parts, elements, or steps”, “brought to an end”, and “fully carried out”.)  It doesn’t mean “subject to change”.  I don’t see how they could be any more precise.

@Boldfresh:

It is misleading to have the statement in the rules that “the attacker may not change any combat movements or attacks after the defender has scrambled” if the combat move is “complete”, ie, locked in, when it is presented to the defender.  this is contradictory, and i’m not trying to be difficult.  it would be an entirely superfluous statement that could only mislead, right?

It can’t be superfluous and contradictory at the same time.  I don’t see how an additional statement for emphasis that doesn’t contradict the original statement in any way can be misleading.

@Boldfresh:

by extension, would you say that if i present a move to my opponent where there are no scramble or intercept choices that is is within the defender’s rights BY RULE to not allow ANY changes to the combat move even if dice have not been rolled?  by your definition of “complete” being “locked in” would that not be the inevitable conclusion?

That’s exactly correct.  Once you have declared your combat movements to be complete and move on to the Conduct Combat phase, you can’t make any changes to your combat movements.  If there is no verbal declaration of completion, implicit declaration occurs when the first combat is begun.

@Krieghund:

@Boldfresh:

so your practical solution would be to tell the defender that if he believes the attacker was intentionally abusing the rules then do not allow it, but otherwise you would urge the defender to allow the changed combat moves?

My practical solution is to use your judgment.  If you can’t trust your opponent to not game the leeway, play by the letter of the rules and don’t give it in the first place.

@Boldfresh:

alright, i just saw where you say that the “definition” of the word complete is Locked in.  i just have to respectfully disagree with you there.  If the rules are intended to be precise on the issue, they should be so.

I’m sorry, but you’re not making sense here.  “Complete” means done.  (Per Webster’s Dictionary, “having all necessary parts, elements, or steps”, “brought to an end”, and “fully carried out”.)  It doesn’t mean “subject to change”.  I don’t see how they could be any more precise.

@Boldfresh:

It is misleading to have the statement in the rules that “the attacker may not change any combat movements or attacks after the defender has scrambled” if the combat move is “complete”, ie, locked in, when it is presented to the defender.  this is contradictory, and i’m not trying to be difficult.  it would be an entirely superfluous statement that could only mislead, right?

It can’t be superfluous and contradictory at the same time.  I don’t see how an additional statement for emphasis that doesn’t contradict the original statement in any way can be misleading.

@Boldfresh:

by extension, would you say that if i present a move to my opponent where there are no scramble or intercept choices that is is within the defender’s rights BY RULE to not allow ANY changes to the combat move even if dice have not been rolled?�  by your definition of “complete” being “locked in” would that not be the inevitable conclusion?

That’s exactly correct.  Once you have declared your combat movements to be complete and move on to the Conduct Combat phase, you can’t make any changes to your combat movements.  If there is no verbal declaration of completion, implicit declaration occurs when the first combat is begun.

so it is the first die roll that locks in the move, not the posted combat moves.  is that correct?

my point is, if i present my combat move to my opponent but have not yet rolled dice on any battles, is that combat move “complete” ie, locked in.

It is misleading to have the statement in the rules that “the attacker may not change any combat movements or attacks after the defender has scrambled” if the combat move is “complete”, ie, locked in, when it is presented to the defender.  this is contradictory, and i’m not trying to be difficult.  it would be an entirely superfluous statement that could only mislead, right?

It can’t be superfluous and contradictory at the same time.  I don’t see how an additional statement for emphasis that doesn’t contradict the original statement in any way can be misleading.

I’m saying it is superfluous at best and contradictory at worst.

in other words, once again, if the rules intended to lock in combat moves prior to dice being rolled, they would explicitly state such.  they do not because it is beyond ridiculous to lock in the combat moves if no dice have yet been rolled.  even then, there would be rational for doing so - for example, in poker, the concept of a string bet.  or of putting a bet out and then taking it back - hoping to get a reaction from your opponent.  in practical terms, no one i have ever seen plays that way - the combat move is always subject to change until dice are rolled.

That is why the statement of “The attacker may not change any combat movements or attacks after the defender has scrambled” could be confusing.  If the turn is already complete and unchangeable the moment the turn is presented to the defender, then whether the defender scrambles or not or even what the definition of the word “scrambled” is unnecessary and potentially misleading.

@Boldfresh:

so it is the first die roll that locks in the move, not the posted combat moves.  is that correct?

Posted?  If you’re playing by e-mail or forum, it’s entirely up to that venue what constitutes a declaration of completeness.  I can only speak to face-to-face games, as that’s the “native” environment of the rules.

@Boldfresh:

my point is, if i present my combat move to my opponent but have not yet rolled dice on any battles, is that combat move “complete” ie, locked in.

If you say that it’s complete, it’s complete.  If you roll a die, you implicitly say so by moving from the Combat Move phase into the Conduct Combat phase.

@Boldfresh:

I’m saying it is superfluous at best and contradictory at worst.

I disagree.  The statement is for emphasis.

Scrambling occurs at the end of the combat movement phase.  As such, all of the attacker’s moves must be completed (as they would be normally at the end of the phase) before it can occur.  The statement in question is emphasizing that fact.  In contrast, intercepting occurs in the combat phase.  As the combat movement phase is already over at that time, there is no need to make a similar statement there to emphasize that point.

@Boldfresh:

in other words, once again, if the rules intended to lock in combat moves prior to dice being rolled, they would explicitly state such.  they do not because it is beyond ridiculous to lock in the combat moves if no dice have yet been rolled.  even then, there would be rational for doing so - for example, in poker, the concept of a string bet.  or of putting a bet out and then taking it back - hoping to get a reaction from your opponent.  in practical terms, no one i have ever seen plays that way - the combat move is always subject to change until dice are rolled.

There is no need to “lock in” combat moves prior to rolling dice if there are no scramble or interception opportunities.  In such case, the first roll of the dice is a perfectly fine way to declare the completeness of your movements.  However, in scrambling/interception situations there is a need to declare the completeness of movement, and the rules provide for that.  If there is no declaration by the attacker that his/her movements are complete, how is the defender to know?  By asking the defender to make a decision regarding scrambling/interception, the attacker implicitly declares that his/her moves are complete, as this completeness is required by the rules.

@Boldfresh:

That is why the statement of “The attacker may not change any combat movements or attacks after the defender has scrambled” could be confusing.  If the turn is already complete and unchangeable the moment the turn is presented to the defender, then whether the defender scrambles or not or even what the definition of the word “scrambled” is unnecessary and potentially misleading.

I have already addressed this point.

Thanks Krieg.

I know you probably only want to address the letter of the rule type questions, but if you would like to view a real game situation that has led to this dispute, please let me know i would appreciate your thoughts if you would be willing.

Send me a PM.

So, when you post your combat move and ask for a scrambling decision, you are implicitly declaring that your combat moves are complete and that you will not be changing them.

That’s pretty obvious.

If I understand this situation correctly, the player received a scrambling decision from the opponent, and then asked to change combat moves and made it clear he would re-ask for a scrambling decision.  The opponent gave unconditional permission (like “sure, fine, go ahead”), so then the player made the changes and then the opponent protests……

If this is the case, the opponent is not acting with integrity.

Isn’t it the same as:
Player places his new units.  Opponent hasn’t had a chance to do anything yet.  Player asks for permission to change placement.  Opponent grants it.  Player changes his placement.  Opponent refuses and denies.

Am I understanding the game situation correctly?

although my opponent appeared to be granting approval for me to redo the move, he now says he was only granting “conditional” approval - ie, he claims he wanted to see what i was going to change and then allow or disallow.

and now currently his stance is that he will allow no changes whatsoever because i “broke the rules”.  it’s quite a morass.

Similar situation happened to me in a live game, where we were sure to take Berlin, and before we had declared that we were done, opponent shouted SCRAMBLE as we were invading an empty Berlin from SZ 113. Chances are we would have noticed his scramble opportunity and simply unloaded from 114. Huge debate ensued as it was basically a game-over situation for him.

I’m under the impression that China as a nation does not get convoy raided. Is this correct?

@seththenewb:

I’m under the impression that China as a nation does not get convoy raided. Is this correct?

Correct!

@rulebook:

China is not subject to convoy disruptions…