a. No EWR.
b. Red formation in Op dot 5.1, with 5 Op MPs.
c. Red formation, with 5 Op MPs, moves first and moves through dot 5.3 to dot 6.1.
d. Blue formation in Op dot 5.3, with 6 Op MPs. Orders - "Patrol in dot 5.3 and intercept any Red formations".
Does Red and Blue automatically know where the other is on the OMT ??
Yes
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2341) 23/07/2013
Does Blue automatically detect Red entering 5.3 ??
Not Exactly - No separate detection rule exists for air formations encountering other air formations. A successful intercept attempt die roll indicates both a detection and intercept occurred. A failed intercept attempt means the enemy formation was not detected and thus could not be intercepted. In other words, detection is not a prerequisite for an intercept die roll.
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2341) 23/07/2013
Or, does Blue have to search for Red in 5.3 to know Red is there before being able to perform a Movement Intercept Check ??
The search die roll is strictly for air formations intending to attack a ground target or naval task force. A successful search allows an automatic successful attack (in other words, a successful intercept of the ground target, if you will0. Searching does not apply to formations attempting aerial intercepts - see above answer
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2341) 23/07/2013
In dot 5.3, which is first performed first - the Unintentional Encounter check or the Movement Intercept Check by Red ??
The unintentional encounter check is provoked first by the action of entering the enemy occupied dot as the Red force expends FPs. After this is resolved, because the enemy formation entered the dot, the Blue force may then attempt to do a movement phase intercept. The only reason not to do this would be if the blue interceptors don't like their position and would prefer to do their own move to refine that position and try for a deliberate intercept in the final phase.
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2341) 23/07/2013
If Blue fails to Encounter or Intercept Red in dot 5.3, how does Blue know Red went past to dot 6.1 ??
If someone can provide a timeline of events (with explanantion), given the above situation, I would greatly appreciate it. Assume I am a Newbie to the OMT and Op Scale activities.
The Operational scale does not detail sighting or close in position considerations of an encounter. It should be presumed that formations will have on and off sightings of each other (awareness), and therefore, those which fail to intercept did so because a sighting occurred but was either too late for the interceptors to get in position. Or the interceptors were too far away to force a battle (an 8 mile wide dot is a long distance) or even that they temporarily lost sight trying to get in position to intercept. Any justification for this awareness of the enemy can be used (ESP? radio intercepts, EWR vectors,etc...twitter?), as I don't really care about the actual sighting status between formations at the op-scale.
In fact, you could even assume that the first sight roll for TMG set up might not even mean only one side had sight and got the jump, it may well mean both sides had sight the whole time but one side got into position first to initiate the fight and that subsequent failed defender's sighting rolls might mean that the defending leader is simply failing to respond to input about the impending attack (fog of war).
In other words, sighting is not tracked specifically at the op-scale. Formations are always presumed to be aware of each other for one reason or another (specifics unknown to the players)
Hope this helps - J.D.
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2341) 23/07/2013
EWR's just provide successful intercept modifiers and radio guidance is presumed to be in effect to justify that.
BTW, GCI radars function exactly like EWR radars for daytime intercepts giving the same modifiers. However, GCI sites can only do this against one enemy formation per op-turn, and at reduced ranges compared to EWRs, and for only up to four friendly formations going after that one enemy, whereas EWRs provide their modifier for anyone going after any enemy formation detected by them. It is presumed that in the daytime, both types of radars are merely guiding you into the general vicinity of the enemy.
In daytime, radar guidance modifiers are NOT cumulative (one or more radars providing tracking do not improve any odds of an intercept, in fact vectors from multiple controllers would be confusing).
For a nighttime intercept though, since visual sighting is not the ultimate aim, a GCI radar adds on its modifier for the unit using it onto any mods provided by an EWR. At night, the EWR guides you into the vicinity of the enemy, and the GCI takes you in closer with its tighter resolution where upon your on board radar can take over. So at night, the mods are cumulative and different.
I've cleaned up the third edition Op-table in my draft to make this a little clearer.
JD
(https://groups.io/g/FW-Ref-Central/message/2341) 23/07/2013