Atomic Africa (Pt 5): Initial Movement and Targeting

The rubber meets the road during the Activation Phases of Atomic Africa.  After the Orders Phase, the player whose leader has the highest Experience Level has the privilege of activating first, or deferring the activation to his opponent.  Note, this is the leader's Experience Level, not XP.  If the leaders of both sides share the same Experience Level, use the platoons' Experience Levels instead.  If still tied, simply roll dice to determine who gets the privilege of first activation (and the right to defer).  The player who activates first (known as the Activating Player) chooses one unit and completes the entire Activation Phase, as described below.  During this first Activation Phase the opponent is known as the Reacting Payer.  The players then switch roles and continue to alternate as the Activating Player until all eligible units have acted or reacted.  Units may only be activated once, but may be forced to react many times in a single turn. 

The Activating Player may only activate units with orders; units without orders may only react.  The Activating Player chooses an eligible unit and begins the Initial Movement Sub-phase by taking one figure from the unit and placing it some distance away.  The Activating Player may not measure this distance, but in general it should not be farther than the distance from base to tip of an index finger (roughly 6-8cm) and usually much less than that.  The newly placed figure is known as the in-transit figure.  The larger group of figures in the unit, still in their original position, is known as the Start Group.  Note, most special actions require units to remain in position, therefore a player may elect to skip this sub-phase and not place an in-transit figure if the activating unit has the appropriate orders (a face card).  Of course this may mean telegraphing his intentions.  Conversely, if an Activating unit has orders directing movement (Ace through 10), the player must place an in-transit figure.

After placing the in-transit figure, the Activating Player then proceeds to the Targeting Sub-phase.  The activating unit may declare the intent to fire on any enemy unit in its line-of-sight (LOS).  LOS is determined from the in-transit figure to the enemy unit.  The Activating player may not measure range during this sub-phase.  A laser-pointer proves the most effective method for establishing LOS and provides no range data.  The Activating player may elect to skip this sub-phase and not fire.

Next up: The Activation Phase continued...