How does Cover work?

[Uncle_Joe]

If they'd just moved into the building they are a moving more visible target. Once they've been there a few turns I believe the game engine sensibly considers that they will find good protective cover (dig in).

I could be wrong about this, so hopefully one of SP Camp guys will weigh in. I think they been very busy with a pending new release.

No, you are correct. The manual goes into this a bit. Essentially you have to have not moved for two turns to be considered 'stationary'.

In my example though, the troops started there and did not move. But again, that is just an example. I didnt mean it as some sort of ironclad demostration that cover doesnt work. As I said, I know there are a million other factors involved (including probably good ole luck).

To help isolate these factors, hard info on Cover would be great. For example, if the difference between Buildings and Fields is only 20% on a percentage based system, then indeed they would not be enough to turn the tide in my favor in the face of nearly 2 to 1 odds.

On the other hand, if they deflect 80% of incoming fire or somesuch, then I know that in that particular instance I likely just got unlucky. But knowing what the 'baseline' to expect makes it much easier to see the results in context.