Retreating unit can't rally

_Tim_ · #1 April 20th, 2008, 06:26 PM

I've seen units with a suppression of 1 that are flagged as retreating. Can't rally them in the usual way because of the low suppression score, and they can't/don't move, so effectively out of the game until destroyed.

Is this a bug with the suppression routines or some cunning design feature?

If I remember right the DOS versions had the same 'feature'.

Seems to affect helos more than ground units, but not exclusively.

cheers,

Tim

Mobhack · #2 April 20th, 2008, 07:08 PM

I have never seen that in 10 odd years of playing, so if you have a save game to show it I'd be interested in one.

Andy

_Tim_ · #3 April 20th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Save game attached (I hope I've done it right).

Unit in question is BH0 HTE OH-23 Raven.

I remember seeing this a few times before and with different versions of the game, but I can't be more specific than that - I just got used to it as something that could happen now and again. Units in that condition would usually stay that way indefinitely, even with the Auto Rally preference on. I'm still playing this game so if the condition of this unit changes I'll let you know.

cheers,

Tim

troopie · #4 April 21st, 2008, 12:10 AM

I have only seen it on helicopters. Check the bird for damage. If it's damaged, the bird is heading back to base.

troopie

Mobhack · #5 April 21st, 2008, 10:03 AM

The helo has damage, so is returning to base under AI control, as do all air units that receive damage.

You can sometimes get a move or so under your control with helos if damaged (or at least the remainder of the move it got damaged in). If you have passengers aboard, use that opportunity to get them unloaded, if you can.

Once the retreat flag is set it is permanent.

Cheers
Andy

_Tim_ · #6 April 21st, 2008, 07:16 PM

Thanks Andy, that makes sense now. I hadn't thought to look for damage but this would have been the case in the previous examples I remembered. Some of these units retreated immediately and exited the map, but some do just stay put, which is how I got confused with the retreat flag.

The twist to this tale is that I have now rallied that unit in the save game, it didn't move and accumulated 1 extra point of suppression for a couple of turns. So when it had more than 1 point of suppression I could try a manual rally attempt. Failed for a couple of turns but in turn 21 it rallied and is now back under my control. In which case the retreat flag hasn't been permanent.

In my opinion this doesn't need changing, it adds another random feature to mix things up a bit - sometimes you get a helo back, sometimes not.

My vague memory is that it happened with ground units, so if I see an example of that I'll check the damage status and report back.

cheers,

Tim