The last dev diary was about the effects of artillery fire and the resulting smoke as a tactical challenge in the upcoming Gas Update 0.9. Now we can present another way in which obscuring visibility can affect gameplay: smoke grenades
Smoke Grenades in the First World War
On the German side, production of the Nebelbombe Typ N (literal translation: ‘Fog Bomb Type N’) did not begin until 1917, while the French had used smoke grenades before then, but in the form of hand grenades for infantry they were quite rare. Due to the similarity in development to gas and smoke and the tactical component in the game, we still wanted to introduce them with this update. Up until 1917, they can only be found occasionally on the battlefield or on French soldiers.
Use of Smoke Grenades
Soldiers can actively throw smoke grenades during an advance or retreat. When doing so, they try to place the grenades with the aim of obscuring the largest possible fields of vision. Smoke grenades produce a grayish-white smoke and are similar in effect to the smoke from artillery strikes. The emitted smoke disappears after two turns.
Kohn places the smoke grenade as a barrier to the French troop
Equipment Changes
With the introduction of smoke grenades, we have also adjusted our general equipment system. Previously, ammunition, bandages and hand grenades were set to a fixed value at the start of a battle. With the upcoming update, equipment that is won will be retained throughout the entire game and the troop will receive additional equipment from Feldintendant Hennek at the end of each camp phase. The amount can depend on various factors, such as the supply situation or your standing with your superiors.
... or if you hoard far too much ammunition ...