FAQ for Balance of Powers of 17 July, 2015

Q: Can I rail off the east edge of the north Europe map to appear on elsewhere along that edge?

A: No, do not assume connections between different parts of Russia across map edges. In game terms, there is (deliberately) no way to march or rail units between European Russian (on the North and South Europe maps) and the Russian Caucasus (on the Ottoman Map). If the Russian player wants units in the Caucasus he must build them there, or bring them in by naval transport. Similarly, units on the North Europe map which are south of the Pripet Marsh cannot rail off the east edge to reappear north of that marsh, or vice versa.

Q: Finally, is the Dakar Port box connected to a map? A: No, because unlike Bordeaux (which is connected) there is no explicit map edge link noted. There's a similar situation with the Caucasus and the Russias - do not assume board edge/off map connections unless they are explicitly labeled there. Q: I noticed the Bordeaux box is connected to France on the Northern Europe map. A: Yes, since it is explicitly labeled as connecting. Q: Where does the German flotilla TNGNYKA set up? A: On the Africa map in hex 8834, 8835 or 8935; here's why. Per "set up" under 12.8 and 12.9 (the only two scenarios which involve Africa), "AF corps set up in maneuver mode in their usual muster location (6.215)." Unfortunately, TNGNYKA (the Tanganyika flotilla) is not listed explicitly, but we know it must set up on one of the German colonies. Since it is a flotilla and per 9.5, "AF flotillas must always be in a hex which contains an African lake," the only set up options for TNGNYKA are hexes 8334, 8335 and 8935. Q: TNGNYKA has only one number on it. Is that both its movement and effectiveness score? A: No, per the last sentence of 1.321, "Africa-designated corps (AF) lack a printed movement score; they show only an effectiveness score printed in black." Under Land Movement (9.0) we see, "Assume that AF corps (which lack a printed movement score) have only one movement point in maneuver mode..." Remember 9.5, "Flotilla are corps that "march" (9.1) with the following adjustments." In Africa those "adjustments" require that a flotilla always be in a hex with an African lake. Q: If after surface naval combat neither side is forced back to port, or willing returns to port, would the phasing stack get to initiate combat again? A: Not against the same force it just fought, per rule 8.24 two opposing forces can search for each other only ONCE per GQ sub pase. So if two forces fought it out and both remained at sea they can ignore each other until the next GQ sub-phase; which is probably soon to follow!