As noted in the introduction, the scale of the game is flexible and varies from battle to battle. A single tank model, like an infantry unit, may therefore represent a section of tanks in a larger battle, while in other scenarios, a tank model may represent a single armoured landship.
The first tanks were built in two types. They were essentially the same, except for their armament. The ‘Male’ type carried two 6-pounder cannon and a few machine guns; while the ‘Female’ version only supported machine guns. This male/female reference to tanks would carry on throughout WWI, male tanks’ main armament being cannons and female tanks’ main armament being machine guns.
In general, a tank is classed as a battlefield unit and will follow the same rules as other battlefield units, when ordered, when moving and when engaging in battle. Each type of tank, however, has its own specifications and in some cases some specific rules: see New Unit Types rules section Tank Specifications.
Ordering Tanks
A Tank will follow the same general Phase 2 - Order Units rules as all other battlefield units.
Tank Movement
A Tank will follow the same general Phase 3 - Movement rules as all other battlefield units. Unlike other battlefield units, however, wire does not stop a tank’s movement. The wire is removed when a tank moves onto a hex with wire.
Tank Battle
A Tank will follow the same general Phase 4 - Battle rules as all other battlefield units.
Ranged Combat (Fire)
- A tank must be within both range and in line of sight to the target unit to engage in ranged combat.
- Ranged combat may not be used against an adjacent enemy unit.
- A tank adjacent to an enemy unit may not target and fire on another more distant enemy unit. If it chooses to battle, the tank must close combat an adjacent enemy unit.
- A tank may not engage in ranged combat the turn it moves onto a building hex.
Close Combat
- A tank, battling against an enemy unit in an adjacent hex, is said to be in close combat with the enemy unit.
- A tank, adjacent to an enemy unit, may not target and fire on another more distant enemy unit. If it chooses to battle, the tank must close combat an adjacent enemy unit.
- A soldier unit, attacked in close combat by a tank, suffers from “Tankschreken” and may not ignore flags rolled against it.
- A soldier unit, attacked in close combat by a tank, when on a building hex, does not suffer from “Tankschreken” and may still ignore flags based on the terrain it occupies.
- A field artillery soldier unit, attacked in close combat by a tank, does not suffer from “Tankschreken” and may still ignore flags based on the terrain it occupies.
- A tank may not close combat the turn it moves onto a building hex.
- Although it may seem a little quirky, a tank may use a Butt & Bayonet combat card.
Gaining Ground
When an ordered tank attacks in close combat and eliminates or forces the defending enemy unit to retreat from the hex it occupies, it has conducted a successful close combat. The victorious attacking tank MUST advance onto that vacated hex. This movement is referred to as gaining ground. Gaining ground, after a successful close combat, is mandatory for a tank.
The following situations do not allow a tank to gain ground:
- A tank, that moves onto a terrain hex that prevents further movement on that turn, will prevent a unit from gaining ground.
- A tank, ordered by a “First Strike” command card, is not eligible to gain ground.
- A tank, using a “Surprise Ambush” combat card, is not eligible to gain ground.
- A tank, using a “Butt & Bayonet” combat card, is not eligible to gain ground.
Bonus Combat
After a successful close combat, a tank that gains ground and it does not bog down (see the Bog Down rules section), is eligible to battle a second time. This bonus combat is optional and gaining ground does not require an eligible tank to attack in combat again.
- A female tank, that qualifies for a bonus combat after gaining ground, may choose to close combat any enemy unit in any adjacent hex or when not adjacent to an enemy unit may engage in ranged combat against any enemy unit that is in range and that is in line of sight.
- A male tank, that qualifies for a bonus combat after gaining ground, may only choose to close combat any enemy unit in any adjacent hex.
- A tank, when it gains ground and moves onto a vacated hex and it bogs down, will prevent the tank from making a bonus combat.
- Some terrain movement restrictions may prevent a tank from gaining ground and a bonus combat.
- A tank may only gain one bonus combat during a turn.
- When a tank’s bonus close combat is also successful, the tank must again gain ground onto the vacated hex, unless prevented by terrain it had entered and roll to see if it will bog down.