Modern Micro Armor Rules Question - Movement v Battle Groups

[Mac]

Hey Folks,

We played our first game of modern micro armor this past weekend. We really enjoyed the rules and are now building even bigger forces. We did have one issue that came up during the game relative to groups. Based on the rules it was my understanding that movement groups are basically not used for generation III forces or above. But, the rules don't specifically say this.

Main Question: Can movement groups be used in Generation III forces as well as battle groups or does the battle group designation completely replace the need for movement groups?

Some additional discussion points follow. Some additional questions included.

- Once orders are used up (burned) during attempts to move battle groups, then individual initiative rolls can be made for those same battle groups that have not yet moved (failed orders or out of orders). That is clear in the rules.
- It is possible that some suppressed or disorganized units may not be able to move because they require a more difficult cohesion roll. Therefore, if the battle group passes under an order but has stragglers, these can be moved either by burning and passing another order or individually. I believe this is allowed by the rules. In this case can movement groups be used or must this be individual units? Can another battle group attempt be made? I think the rules disallow another battle group attempt.
- Once you move a battle group, by an order, can you later attempt to move those units in that battle group that did not move under that initial order. These movements would be individual? If so, then movement groups could be beneficial. The rules indicated to me that this is not possible and therefore movement groups (any number of stands including even one) are not needed. In other words, if you pass and choose not to move a unit in a battle group, that unit can no longer attempt to move.

Thank you for your help.

Regards,
Mac

[dougeagle]

Main Question: Can movement groups be used in Generation III forces as well as battle groups or does the battle group designation completely replace the need for movement groups?

A: Movement groups are for any tech level I do believe. In GHQ's WWII rules pretty much all formations are movement groups. Only Gen III can form battle groups.

Based on the rules it was my understanding that movement groups are basically not used for generation III forces or above. But, the rules don't specifically say this.

I use movement groups even with Gen III forces, but that's with Soviet forces moving on the attack. With NATO forces, I pretty much use battle groups, however, in one game, NATO went on the offensive and I was the Soviets defending, thus I formed them into battle groups. The NATO formed a movement group of 3 Leo 2's and a battle group of 3 Leo2, Marder, Gepard and recon...that was his main force. Basically, the rules are pretty much open for interpretation and you can either say, yes Gen III can use movement groups or say No...don't think so. Up to you really.

It is possible that some suppressed or disorganized units may not be able to move because they require a more difficult cohesion roll. Therefore, if the battle group passes under an order but has stragglers, these can be moved either by burning and passing another order or individually. I believe this is allowed by the rules. In this case can movement groups be used or must this be individual units? Can another battle group attempt be made? I think the rules disallow another battle group attempt.

Rule 8.2.9- page 16, right side near the bottom talks about Stragglers.

Once you move a battle group, by an order, can you later attempt to move those units in that battle group that did not move under that initial order. These movements would be individual? If so, then movement groups could be beneficial. The rules indicated to me that this is not possible and therefore movement groups (any number of stands including even one) are not needed. In other words, if you pass and choose not to move a unit in a battle group, that unit can no longer attempt to move.

Yes, if you order a BG to move, but not all, then you can order the individual units one at a time, as long as you have enough orders to do so, or you have to use that units cohesion plus modifier. Again, rule 8.2.9 covers that part.
In the end, using Movement Group is a good way to have an entire force move at once, but having a BG is also handy to have too.

Hope that helps