Few quick questions regarding smoke

[PorkNBeenz]

Just a couple of things I haven't been able to find any kind answers to in the Game Guide or through forum searching:

Does a unit in a hex containing smoke gain a bonus to its ability to remain unspotted? Or rather, considering the way spotting works, do units spotting into a smoked hex have any kind of penalty?

Or does smoke simply act as a LOS "wall", stopping anything without TI from seeing through it?

Along this same vein, does a unit in a smoked hex gain any kind of additional defense modifiers outside of those provided by terrain and move status? One would think a thick cloud of smoke covering a 50m area would make hitting a target inside it somewhat more difficult, but seeing as this is a game (albeit a soundly modeled one in most areas) I figure it better to ask than assume reality applies in all cases.


Thanks,
Tom

[Mobhack]

Smoke reduces visibility for each hex on a cumulative basis (only hexes with smoke values greater than a certain amount show smoke animations). So it is not a "wall" - each hex the LOS goes through contributes any obscuration it has currently, applies to all LOS checks, including TI for fire hexes.

Other than that - LOS is a two way thing. If A has LOS to B then (assuming equal vision capabilities) B can see A (eventually).

Since smoke in the target hex seems to be counted for spotting, then it may help a little bit in providing cover. Movement, firing and size would be more relevant factors.

There are no defence modifiers for a smoky hex.

Smoke is checked at the end of each player phase for drifting and dissipation, so you cannot rely on it as something to hide behind. A wisp of smoke may just have provided a LOS block for your tank in your move, but drift away at the end of your turn, revealing him to the enemy. Or or may drift further an block the LOS line your ambush was relying on etc.

Andy

[iCaMpWiThAWP]

A somewhat related question:
Does an infantry unit assaulting a tank INSIDE a "smoke" hex has greater chances to succeed?(tank crew should be unable to see some guys approaching through the smoke unless they got TI)

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by iCaMpWiThAWP

A somewhat related question:
Does an infantry unit assaulting a tank INSIDE a "smoke" hex has greater chances to succeed?(tank crew should be unable to see some guys approaching through the smoke unless they got TI)

None whatsoever. Smoke itself gives no hit benefits.

If the infantry were unspotted (which may have been due to the smoke in the area), then their assault chance goes up.


Andy