News update 22-07-2024 - Marshals Unleashed
In our recent manual update, we have revised the engagement protocols for artillery units. Previously, a standard artillery battery was permitted to fire three rounds or be utilized as howitzers with two rounds per turn, allowing a maximum of either three or two shots from a single artillery unit in one turn. A roll resulting in a triple hit (depicted by an icon featuring white artillery on a black background) translated to inflicting three damage points; however, this triple-hit capability could only be applied once per individual artillery battery. Additionally, for each damage point sustained by the artillery battery, its firing capacity is reduced accordingly by one throw.
The initial rule has been revised. Based on user feedback indicating that artillery was disproportionately powerful when targeting with dice results of the triple damage icon —capable of eliminating an entire artillery battery with a single shot. The engagement rules have been updated in the new manual. The current rules are designed to extend the lifespan of artillery batteries. The triple icon no longer signifies triple damage; instead, it now serves to trigger a grand battery bombardment as detailed in the manual. Under these revised guidelines, firing one shot with an artillery battery will consume one action point. It remains possible to fire multiple times with the same unit; however, each additional shot will incur an additional action point cost. These changes have been made to enhance gameplay balance.
The utilization of howitzers, which form part of the artillery units, operates under a similar concept. Within the extended dice set, these howitzers are capable of inflicting 2 damage points. The damage sustained by an artillery battery no longer influences the number of attacks it can execute; instead, this capacity is now determined by available action points allocated for each fire attack with the artillery battery. This necessitates strategic decisions on whether to engage the artillery multiple times within a single turn at the potential expense of engagements in other areas on the battlefield. Upon extensive playtesting over recent months prior to finalizing our latest manual, we concluded that this rule set enhances gameplay dynamics and outcomes. It promotes concentrating artillery forces to deliver powerful barrages while ensuring greater longevity for artillery batteries during battles.