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It is crucial that you understand how the Zone Of Control
(ZOC) works in
order to maximize your offense and defense. However, if you are new to
the Nectaris series, the ZOC may seem confusing at first. The main lesson
is simply this: your troops will be slaughtered unless you coordinate
your units to fight as a team. An isolated unit on a solo mission cannot
attack at its full potential and risks being overwhelmed by a team of
enemies (i.e. even a heavily armored unit loses its defensive advantage
when it fights solo against a team of enemies). Of course, there are
times when it is prudent to send units on solo missions--but in general
your offensive and defensive strategy should focus on teamwork.
A. ZONE OF CONTROL
:
The Zone of Control (ZOC) is an area of 6 hexagons surrounding each unit.
A unit has "force" in this area. An opposing unit can go no further than
the first hexagon in an enemy’s ZOC. You may not pass through an enemy's
ZOC in a single turn and must wait until the next turn to proceed.
/ \_
\_/5\_
In this diagram, hexes numbered 1-6 represent unit G's
ZOC.
/6\_/4\
\_/G\_/ Suppose an enemy occupies hex
5. This enemy cannot simply
/1\_/3\ ignore G and shift through hex 4, 3, and 2 in one turn.
5 can
\_/2\_/ only advance to hex 4 (or 6) in one turn since
its' mobility is
/ \_/ constrained by being in
G's ZOC.
Constraining your opponent's ability to move has tremendous advantages--
you can prevent your opponent from moving into a better offensive and / or
defensive position during a battle. Also, by coordinating your units as a
team, you can create a defensive "wall" to prevent opponents from advancing
too quickly (i.e. when you need to stop an enemy from capturing a factory).
HINT: You can "expand" your ZOC by incorporating NATURAL, GEOGRAPHIC
OBSTACLES into your overall strategy. Natural obstacles (i.e. mountains,
valleys) also inhibit your opponent's mobility (except aircraft), so your
opponent will always try to advance down the "path of least resistance"
(i.e. roads 0%, flat ground 5%, etc.) Very often, you can block this
"path of least resistance" with 1 or 2 well-placed units. Your unit's ZOC,
combined with the natural obstacles, creates a veritable "wall" to slow
down your opponent's advance.
B. SUPPORTING EFFECT
:
The offensive attack power and defensive capacities of your unit will
increase if your other units are in close proximity. This is called
the "support effect." You may gain a strategic advantage over your
enemy by using this tactic:
(1.) Defensive Supporting Effect: when your unit is under attack, you may obtain additional support by having your
other units within the front line of your
ZOC. The defensive capacity of the unit under attack will be increased
with this support. For example:
/ \_
\_/G\_
/1\_/3\ G attacks
1 ; 1 supported by
2 ; defense of 1 is increased
\_/2\_/ G attacks
2 ; 2 supported by
1 & 3 ;
2's defense boosted EVEN MORE
/ \_/
(2.) Offensive Support Effect: when attacking an enemy unit you may obtain greater attack power by having your
other units within the front line of your
ZOC. The offensive capacity of the attacking unit will be increased with
this support. For example:
/ \_
\_/G\_
/1\_/3\ 1 attacks
G ; 1 supported by
2 ; offense of 1 is increased
\_/2\_/ 2 attacks
G ; 2 supported by
1 & 3 ;
2's offense boosted EVEN MORE
/ \_/
C. SURROUNDING
EFFECT :
When attacking an enemy, you strengthen your offensive power and
weaken enemy's defensive capacity by SURROUNDING your opponent.
/ \_
\_/5\_
/6\_/4\
To cut G’s defense in HALF, simply flank
G on
\_/G\_/ OPPOSITE sides:
1 & 4 or 2 & 5
or 3 & 6
/1\_/3\
\_/2\_/ Tough enemies: try to completely encircle
G by occupying 1-6
/ \_/
HINT: By combining the Supporting and Surrounding effect, you gain the
ultimate advantage! Use this combined effect to defeat the most
formidable enemies.
HINT: The terrain also effects a unit's defense! See TERRAIN EFFECTS for
further discussion.
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