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Old 10-04-2008, 01:43 PM
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Marc Marc is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Catalunya
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Bona nit!

About the Navigation skill in urban combat i think I will use Kcsusk suggestion.

From the point of view of a group of characters entering for the first time in a disputed urban area, the use of navigation skill can be especially important.
Perhaps the group have not any map of the city. If the characters have not get enough information before entering the area, a military map will be usually at 1:25000 scale and it is not the most appropriate system to plot a coordinate movement. Of course, the presence of characteristic buildings, big squares, main roads and others can help. But the urban scenery will be deformed by rubble. Some streets will be blocked and the signs can be obscured or changed by the defender.

And, after all, the real problem is not to get lost. The use of navigation skill can help the referee to answer questions like: Will the group spend precious time to link with an allied unit? Will they know the best alternate and passable route for their 2 1/2 truck, after having found the main street blocked? Will the scout remember if that route is covered from that high building occupied by enemy forces?

The level of the navigation check may be adjusted by the information required and the familiarity with the area. The battle hardened sniper who has been fighting in the city for tree months knows that if he goes through the gap in the wall of the warehouse and crawls under the burnt car, he will find the entrance to the sewer system that will allow him to gain a good shooting position over that 2 1/2 truck that has found the obstacle he has prepared yesterday. For sure the truck crew will choose that predictable alternate route where he will be waiting, with the patience of the hunter.

In other RPG's, skills as "local knowledge" or "tactics:urban combat" would cover those kind of situations, leaving to the navigation skill the simple task to decide if the group get lost.

And from the Murphy's Laws of Combat (Challenge#57): "The most dangerous weapon in your enemy's arsenal is one of your own second lieutenants carrying a map and a compass."
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