Any hex that contains a smoke marker is considered to be blocking terrain, and provides +2 cover for any units in the hex. Units in the same hex as a smoke marker attack at half firepower.
- Smoke markers may not be placed on a building hex, and any other hex may contain a maximum of one smoke marker.
- Smoke markers are removed during the next Status Phase.
- If a squad is executing an assault attack, or supporting an assault attack, from a hex containing a smoke marker, the smoke marker does not halve the squad’s firepower .
- A unit defending against an assault in a hex with a smoke marker has its firepower halved and receives +2 cover. A unit assaulting (or supporting an assault against) a hex containing a smoke marker has its firepower halved but does not receive +2 cover. Note that squads cannot support an assault against a hex containing a smoke marker, since they would have to halve their firepower twice.
Q: When does smoke expire?
A: As per the core game designer, smoke is meant to last for at least one full turn. If this poses a memory issue, when smoke is placed, place two markers instead of one and remove one smoke per stack per Status Phase. It would have been better if on page 47, the second bullet under "Smoke", stated, “Smoke markers are removed during the Status Phase of the next Game Round.” (Actually, this clarification is official).
A: As per the core game designer, smoke is meant to last for at least one full turn. If this poses a memory issue, when smoke is placed, place two markers instead of one and remove one smoke per stack per Status Phase. It would have been better if on page 47, the second bullet under "Smoke", stated, “Smoke markers are removed during the Status Phase of the next Game Round.” (Actually, this clarification is official).