Ambush Mechanics

:::tip Fog of War Required Ambush only triggers when Fog of War is enabled. If you can already see all enemies, there are no surprises! :::

What is an Ambush?

An ambush occurs when:

1. Fog of War is enabled
2. Enemy unit is hidden (outside your vision range)
3. You move into or adjacent to the hidden enemy
4. Hidden enemy attacks first with +25% damage bonus

Trigger Conditions

An ambush happens when ALL of these are true:

• ✅ Fog of War is enabled
• ✅ Enemy unit was not visible to you before moving
• ✅ Your unit moves into or adjacent to the enemy’s position
• ✅ Enemy becomes revealed by your movement

If the enemy was already visible before you moved, it’s normal combat - NOT an ambush.

Why Ambushes Happen

Visibility, Not Terrain

Ambushes are based on visibility, not terrain type:

• Any enemy outside your vision range can ambush you
• Doesn’t matter if they’re on grass, forest, or mountain
• What matters is: were they hidden from you?

Forests and Mountains Make It More Likely

While any hidden enemy can ambush, forests and mountains block vision:

• Forests: Block line of sight, hide units inside
• Mountains: Block line of sight, hide units behind them
• Enemies in/behind these terrains are more likely to be hidden
• But enemies on grass/roads can also ambush if outside your vision range

Example: Enemy on grass 3 hexes away (outside your 2-hex vision) = can ambush you if you move to them.

Combat Resolution

Phase 1: Ambush Strike

When ambush triggers:

1. Enemy unit is revealed
2. Enemy attacks first automatically
3. +25% damage bonus for ambushing unit
4. Your unit takes damage

Damage Formula:

Ambush Damage = Enemy Attack × 1.25

Example:

• Enemy Infantry (3 attack) ambushes
• Ambush damage: 3 × 1.25 = 3.75 (rounds to 4)
• Your Infantry: 10 HP → 6 HP remaining

Phase 2: Counter-Attack

If you survive:

1. Your unit counter-attacks immediately
2. Normal damage (no bonus)
3. Combat resolves

Example Continued:

• You counter-attack: 3 damage
• Enemy: 10 HP → 7 HP remaining
• Both units now visible

Phase 3: Aftermath

• Both units revealed
• Fog of war updates
• Units remain in position (unless destroyed)
• Your turn continues

Ambush Types

Moving INTO Enemy Position

You move directly onto a hex with a hidden enemy:

• Highest risk
• Enemy attacks first with bonus
• Often causes heavy mutual damage

Moving ADJACENT to Enemy

You move next to a hex with a hidden enemy:

• Still triggers ambush
• Enemy attacks from their position
• You can potentially retreat next turn

How Ambushes Are Prevented

Vision Range

The key to avoiding ambushes is vision:

• Each unit sees 2 hexes in all directions
• If enemy is in your vision, you see them = no ambush
• If enemy is outside vision, they’re hidden = possible ambush

Terrain Effects on Vision

Vision-blocking terrain makes ambushes more common:

• Forests: Can’t see through them, units inside are hidden
• Mountains: Can’t see through them, units behind are hidden
• Mountain bonus: Units ON mountains see 3 hexes (instead of 2)

Open terrain doesn’t block vision:

• Grass, roads, shallow water: can see through
• But enemies far away (3+ hexes) are still hidden due to vision range

Examples

Example 1: Forest Ambush

• Enemy Infantry hiding in forest
• Forest blocks your vision
• You move into forest hex
• AMBUSH! Enemy attacks first: 4 damage
• You counter-attack: 3 damage
• Both survive, both visible

Example 2: Grass Ambush

• Enemy Infantry on grass, 3 hexes away
• Outside your 2-hex vision range
• You move to adjacent hex (2 hexes from them)
• AMBUSH! Enemy attacks first: 4 damage
• You counter-attack: 3 damage
• Terrain didn’t matter - distance did

Example 3: No Ambush

• Enemy Infantry 2 hexes away on grass
• You can already see them (in vision range)
• You move adjacent to attack
• Normal combat - no ambush because they were visible

Key Points

1. Ambushes are about visibility, not terrain type
2. Any hidden enemy can ambush you
3. Forests and mountains block vision, making ambushes more likely there
4. Distance matters: enemies outside your vision range are hidden
5. Mountain bonus: units on mountains see 3 hexes (helps prevent ambushes)
6. No ambush if visible: if you can already see them, no surprise attack

Next Steps

• Learn about Fog of War to understand vision
• Review Terrain Guide for vision-blocking terrain
• See Units Guide for vision range details

---

Watch your vision range!