Any Crossfire veterans out there? I could do with a little help.

[Maraviglia]

I’ve just started learning the game and frankly the book could be a little… friendlier. I think I’ve mostly got it but I’m still unsure of a few things like;

What’s the real difference between a Firegroup and a Crossfire? Is it really just a Crossfire needs a PC and can use squads spaced further apart (not that they likely will be) and a Firegroup can use any squad as leader?

If an initiative Firegroup/Crossfire squad misses does it get a “No fire” marker or is that just for reactive units as I’ve read? And if so, as long as one squad involved scores a suppression/kill does that mean any squad that missed is free to do whatever it likes in further actions during this initiative? Is that the bonus of the combined fire?

And on a (admittedly foolhardy) group move that means it takes fire from multiple enemy stands assuming the enemy doesn’t have “no fire” markers do they get to fire at the PC when he is moved or is that prevented by the targeting restriction of having to target rifle stands first if you can?

 

In short I really like this game so far but then I haven’t got to the really popular part of the game – vehicles! I understand they aren’t considered great rules. I did notice that one vehicle represents one vehicle and one rifle stand represents about 10 men but a halftrack can carry 4 stands. That must be a fun ride!

[MartinR]

It is at least ten years since I played Crossfire, so I’d hesitate to answer your questions specifically. However there is a very helpful Crossfire group on groups.io which may be able to help.

I used to treat vehicles as sections of vehicles, not single ones, and I don’t recall too many people riding around in halftracks. It is an infantry game after all.

"Mistakes in the initial deployment cannot be rectified" - Helmuth von Moltke

[Maraviglia]

I’ve never used .io before but good to know, ta!

I’m sure as I play it more I’ll get the hang of it, not to mention ideas of my own on how to tweak it, but I think it’s best to understand a system as fully as possible before breaking it!

[MartinR]

The main thing with CF is to make sure you have a more granular terrain model than you might normally have. Breaking woods into sections etc.

It is a great game, but my regular group didn’t like it as it required too much concentration.

"Mistakes in the initial deployment cannot be rectified" - Helmuth von Moltke

[Maraviglia]

Yeah, I can see that but I think that’s what I like. The terrain shouldn’t be too much of an issue either as I’ve got a reasonable amount for a small game and lots more on my paint table so it’s a good pairing.

Currently I just need to tighten up my understanding (or settle on how I’ll play it) for a few rules.

[MartinR]

OK, I brushed up on the rules and yes, a Firegroup and a Crossfire are very similar. They allow multiple stands to fire but obviously the Fire group is less flexible.

The critical thing with both is that only one firing element in the group needs to score a kill or suppression to retain the initiative. This makes it far more likely you will keep the initiative. And yes, they can all charge off and do other stuff. No Fire only applies to reactive fire.

Keeping the initiative is crucial, you can do as much stuff as you want, until an action fails, including marching the length of the table, destroying the entire enemy army etc. So both sides need to work on the basis that they might be attacked from any direction and deploy accordingly. Rather like real life. It only takes one reacting squad to scupper a great plan though.

 

 

 

 

"Mistakes in the initial deployment cannot be rectified" - Helmuth von Moltke

[vtsaogames]

A fire-group: one squad/section is the fire-group leader. Other participating squads/etc. must be within a base width of the leader and of the same platoon. Usually limits it to 3 squads.

 

Crossfire: all must be of the same platoon, but no distance requirement. All must be able to see the platoon CO and the target. The PC must be able to see the target also. so the platoon (and attached (HMG) don’t need to be in close proximity. A company commander can organize a crossfire of unattached HMGS. Not near doing this with my collection.. yet.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood

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