Zone of Control

Zone of Control (ZoC)

Zone of Control (ZoC for short) is a term not found in the DBM rules. Its "DBx slang" used to described the area directly to the front of all elements (excluding Baggage). This ZoC is measured forward from the front edge and extends out by a base width (40x40mm in 15mm scale). To use your imagination, consider it "no mans land."

Diagrams drawn to 15mm scale, all dimensions in "mm" unless otherwise specified.

An element entering an enemy ZoC has its movement options restricted to (a) withdrawing directly to its rear, or (b) advancing directly towards the enemy element in question. There no side stepping allowed, just attack or retreat. Crossing an element's ZoC is not otherwise permitted unless your element intends to line up and/or move into combat with this enemy element. The only exception is when an element is impetuous, all ZoCs are then ignored. The relevant section of the rules covering this is quoted below (with v3.0 changes highlighted.)

Movement restrictions: (page 18, top)

No element can cross the front of or retire from in front of any enemy element at or closer than 1 element base width distance with no element or fortification or, unless the enemy is naval, water even partially intervening, nor having done so continue moving, except:

To advance directly forward towards such an element at least part of which is directly in front.

To advance and line up directly opposite such an element's front.

To advance so that its front edge contacts the front edge or front corner only of whichever enemy element can be so contacted by the shortest move. [Fig. 2]. An element attempting contact having started opposite a joint between two enemy elements must therefore contact the enemy element it initially overlaps most.

To follow behind an element or elements contiguous with its front in any of the above.

To retire directly to its own initial rear without ending in edge contact with enemy.

As a spontaneous or outcome move.

If the enemy are skirmishers and the movers are impetuous troops and their move is directly forward.

ZoC's can be used to your advantage by trapping or cornering enemy elements and minimising theirs options to moving into combat or retreating straight back. The following example looks options available to a Psiloi element when ZoC'd by an Auxilia.

*Diagrams drawn to 15mm scale, all dimensions in "mm" unless otherwise specified.*
	Fig 1 - An Auxilia element has advanced to within 30mm of an enemy Psiloi. The Psiloi is within 40mm directly to the front of the Auxlia and is therefore ZoC'd.
	Fig 2 - The Psiloi element has three options for movement in its next bound; (A) advance directly at the Ax, moving across its front to line up opposite, (B) withdraw directly to its rear, no deviation (it can turn about 180 degrees!) (C) move directly towards the Ax without lining up.

ZoCs also affect how elements move into combat. The following example illustrates the movements options available to a Psilio element for attacking;

Diagrams drawn to 15mm scale, all dimensions in "mm" unless otherwise specified.

Fig 1 - The Psiloi (green) is in a position to to attack either enemy elements (red). It starts it bound outside both the ZoC's.

Fig 2 - The Psiloi can attempt to move directly into combat with element "a", but in doing so will cross the ZoC of element "b" making the move illegal.
As the 2nd bullet states; "An element attempting contact having started opposite a joint between two enemy elements must therefore contact the enemy element it initially overlaps most."

Fig 4 - An alternate path for attack element "a" would be to side step left, avoiding the ZoC of element "b", then moving forward into combat with element"a".
This would only be possible if the Psiloi's total movement measured along its "L" shaped path was not exceeded.

Fig 3 - The Psiloi can move directly into combat with element "b" if required.

*Diagrams drawn to 15mm scale, all dimensions in "mm" unless otherwise specified.*
	Fig 1 - The Psiloi (green) is in a position to to attack either enemy elements (red). It starts it bound outside both the ZoC's.
	*Fig 2 - The Psiloi can attempt to move directly* into combat with element "a", but in doing so will cross the ZoC of element "b" making the move illegal.** As the 2nd bullet states; "An element attempting contact having started opposite a joint between two enemy elements must therefore contact the enemy element it initially overlaps most."
	Fig 4 - An alternate path for attack element "a" would be to side step left, avoiding the ZoC of element "b", then moving forward into combat with element"a". This would only be possible if the Psiloi's total movement measured along its "L" shaped path was not exceeded.
	Fig 3 - The Psiloi can move directly into combat with element "b" if required.