"Z" - fire

[Pyros]

Gentlemen,

As soon as you play the game you will discover that the old good tactic to use the "Z"-fire (instead of direct firing) is NOT anymore a valid tactic.

There have been re-calibrations to the efficiency of Z-fire.

Therefor, the only thing that you will achieve by using it, is an average suppression.

cheers,
Pyros

[Marek_Tucan]

Already noticed it, my Paras in the Pegasus scen WERE able to Z-fire through smoke but they've fired two hexes off the target

[desh44]

Yes. Z-fire scatters even when you have a line of sight to the target. In addition it tends to supress but cause fewer casualties then direct fire. When facing masses of troops it sometimes pays to Z-fire if you want to supress several units. If you are trying to get kills it pays to use direct fire. Even with direct fire you get scatter sometimes but not as far or as much as with Z-fire

Tom

[Pyros]

Perhaps the following text from Andy G. will help you, better understand how the Z-fire works under WinSPWW2:

Mobhack said:
Z fire is "spray and pray" usually used to beat up an area throughg smoke (no LOS) or as "recon by fire" on a suspected area. It is speculative fire, and hence less effective, with probable max effect of pin, rarer to hit and cause casualties. It should be a rare form of fire (barring USA type shooting up areas you suspect of having hidden troops in). It causes "friction of war" rather than a load of casualties - but sufficient pins of say a herd of infantry screened behind smoke, may well break the attack up as some units will not rally, and so will remain pinned and so will enter battle later.

cheers,
Pyros

[JohnT]

Thanks for a simple solution to a awkward problem in a hex and turn based game.
This is a huge improvment for infantery tactics in woods,
as it allows you to put suppresive fire into the hex beyond.

Previously you had to walk into the hex next to the defender, get your head shot off and only the upteen squad where able to make any offensive fire at the hidden defender.

Now you can spray, pray and advance with a chance to at least getting off the first rounds.

As I once was trained in "Fire line without depth" -
Squad in line abreast, three rounds - five steps - three rounds until the enemy position is overrun or a more deliberate assault is needed.

Cheers
John T

[Gud]

I use "Z" fire when firing flamethrowers and high-calibre direct fire guns, especially when targetted hex contains multiple squads. Flamethrowers make urban combat sooo much easier...