23. BUILDINGS
23.1 Buildings represent man-made dwellings of various sizes, shapes, and construction. Any hex containing one or more brown or gray rectangular overview building depictions is a building hex-even if the hex center dot does not touch that building depiction.
EX: 1M4 is a building hex. M5 is also a building hex but is part of the same building as N3, N4, and N5 because all four building hexes are connected by building hexsides. Unless reference is specifically made to a "hex" of a building, reference to building M5 also includes hexes N3, N4, and N5.
23.2 A building is an obstacle to LOS, and its elevation is dependent on the combination of its height and the elevation level it occupies. For example, a Single Story House on a level 0 hex is a level 1 obstacle; a Single Story House in a valley is a level 0 obstacle; and a Single Story House on a level 2 hill is a level 3 obstacle. The height of the building itself is based solely on the number of hexes it occupies and the presence or absence of a stairwell symbol within the building. A stairwell symbol is the small white square which replaces the hex center dot of some building hexes. Remember that either the firing or target unit needs an elevation advantage over the height equivalent of any obstacle to see past that obstacle to a lower level, but an intervening same-level obstacle never blocks the LOS of same-level units.
23.21 SINGLE STORY HOUSE: All single hex buildings which do not contain a staircase symbol are considered one level obstacles to LOS. All units in such buildings are at the level of the other terrain in the hex. 1D4 is an example of a Single Story House.
23.211 LUMBERYARD: Any hex containing numerous brown rectangular striped shapes is a lumberyard hex. Hex 24Q6 (and cD4 of Deluxe ASL) is an example of a lumberyard hex. A lumberyard is considered identical to a wooden Single Story House in all respects except for Rout (A10.51), Rally (A10.61), Victory Conditions (A26), and EC DRM for Kindling/
23.22 TWO STORY HOUSE: A multi-hex building which contains no stairwell symbol is considered a 1½ level obstacle to LOS despite also having another vertical level in each hex besides the ground level in the form of a level 1 capacity. All buildings of this type have an inherent stairwell present in each hex to allow movement between levels. Units on a Level 1 counter are considered to be at a level one higher than the surrounding terrain even though the building itself is only 1½ levels higher than the surrounding terrain. 1F1-G1 is an example of a two story house.
23.23 MULTI-STORY BUILDING: Any building containing a stairwell symbol is considered a 2½ level obstacle to LOS. Such buildings contain both a level 1 and level 2 Location in addition to the ground level hex. Such buildings have no inherent stairwells other than those represented by the white square stairwell symbol. Movement between levels inside the building may only be accomplished in a stairwell hex. 1U3 is an example of a multi-story building.
23.24 THIRD LEVEL STRUCTURES: A building with three levels constitutes a 3½ level obstacle, exists only by SSR, and is identified thereafter by placement of a Level 3 counter on an appropriate hex. The Level 3 height can apply to either the entire Building or a specific hex of that building as specified by SSR. If a SSR or the building itself does not specify the presence of a stairwell, each hex of the building containing a third level Location is assumed to contain an inherent stairwell.
23.25 ADJACENT BUILDING HEXES: A unit in a building is ADJACENT to an adjacent building level of the same building only if both are either on the same level [EXC: Rowhouse; 23.71], or are vertically connected by a stairwell (printed or inherent). Otherwise, no LOS exists between adjacent units in the same building, nor does a LOS exist between non-adjacent units in the same building unless a LOS clear of the building depiction can be traced through intervening hex(es) - such as from 1M5 to N3 (see 23.1 ill.). LOS to a unit in a building Location [EXC: rooftop Location] can exist only if drawn to an ADJACENT unit or (for LOS between different hexes) if the LOS as it enters the hex does not cross a hexside within the building depiction (e.g in contrast to 1X3/
EX: The ground level of 1X3 is not in the LOS of the 1st level of W4. Therefore, the broken unit in level 1 of W4 is under no obligation to rout despite the presence of the enemy unit in X3. Similarly, units in those adjacent hexes cannot fire at each other due to their lack of LOS.
23.26 STAIRWELL: Attacks up or down a stairwell hex to other vertical levels of the same building hex are limited to the next higher or lower level. A ground level and second (or higher) level of the same building hex are never ADJACENT.
23.3 The TEM of a building is dependent on the construction type of that building. Gray buildings represent stone construction and have a TEM of +3. Brown buildings represent wooden construction and have a TEM of +2. If the color of a particular building is such that players cannot agree on the construction type of that building, treat it as wooden.
23.31 The TEM is determined by the building occupied by the target and is not altered for fire from within the same building [EXC: Factory; 23.741]. A Bypassing unit does not qualify for a building TEM.
23.32 INDIRECT FIRE: Indirect Fire is resolved simultaneously with the same Original Resolution DR vs. each level of a building (provided it is not an Interior Building Hex), but there is an additional +1 DRM for each non-rooftop level of the building above it (even if in the Marketplace [23.73], or if being attacked by WP); if an Interior Building Hex is hit, only the rooftop and highest level of that building hex are affected [EXC: Rubble; 24.11-.121]. Q&A
EX: A unit on the ground level of a wooden Two Story House receives a +3 TEM vs. indirect Fire; a unit on Level 1 of a stone Multi-Story Building receives a +4 TEM.
23.4 Unless using Bypass, Infantry spend two MF to enter a building hex [EXC: via Road (A4.132); also, if the Bypass portion of the hex contains other than Open Ground such as 2I9 (A2.4)] and one MF to change levels within a building in a stairwell hex (whether printed or inherent). A vehicle may enter a building hex only via VBM (D2.3), Factory Stairwell (23.742), or by risking rubble/
23.41 CELLARS: Only a fully-tracked, CT, BU AFV without Riders may enter a building obstacle [EXC: Marketplace (23.73); Factory Stairwell (2 3.742)] and does so at a total MP cost equal to half of its printed MP allotment (plus the additional one-fourth of its MP allotment if it makes an OVR attack; D7.1). Such non-VBM entry of a building hex requires an immediate Bog Check DR with a +3 DRM to the Bog Check only (+4 for stone buildings). If the AFV rolls ≤ 0 on the colored dr of the Bog Check DR, the building hex has been rubbled. A -1 drm to the colored dr of the Bog Check DR applies if the building is wooden/
23.42 A multi-level building contains another vertical Location for each level of the building - each with its own normal stacking limits. No unit may occupy more than one level at once.
23.421 UPPER LEVELS: Units in a multi-level building are considered on ground level unless they are placed on top of a Level counter. The Level counter in effect forms the floor between the levels. Level counters are not placed on the board until occupied by a unit [EXC: Level 3; 23.24]. The floor remains inherently present despite the absence of the Level counter. The Level counter is used only to show units on that specific upper level. Movement and attack costs are the same for the upper levels as they are for the ground level. Floor Level counters are color coded by elevation so that they can be recognized at a glance without displacing counters on top of them.
23.422 Units in non-stairwell hexes may not engage in CC with enemy units above or below them on a different level. Units that start their APh already in a stairwell hex may engage in CC only if they advance during the APh up or down stairs one level and enter into CC with opposing units in that Location. A unit may never advance both into a new hex and up or down into a new vertical building Location in the same APh.
23.423 GUNS: No weapon depicted on a ⅝" counter may occupy an upper level of a building [EXC: Mortars (23.85); Fortified Building (23.93)]. A non-vehicular weapon on a ⅝" counter may be set up or pushed into a building/
23.424 SCALING: Scaling is allowed only by specially-trained and equipped troops designated as Commandos by SSR or DYO purchase. Any Good Order Commando may descend/
23.5 The only Fortification allowed in a building hex is a minefield or the fortification of the building itself (23.9).
23.6 A Flame can be kindled in a wooden building on a DR ≥ 7 and can later spread to adjacent hexes of the same building on a DR ≥ 8. A Flame can be kindled in a stone building on a DR ≥ 8 and can later spread to adjacent (see 25.6) hexes of the same building on a DR ≥ 9. These DR are all subject to modification, see Section 25. A multi-level building hex that contains a Blaze on every level is marked with a burning building counter from PARATROOPER or the basic SQUAD LEADER game rather than placing a Blaze counter on each level of the building hex.
23.7 SPECIAL BUILDING TYPES: There are four rare building types with special rules pertaining only to them.
23.71 ROWHOUSE: Any multi-hex building with a thick black bar over any hexside it crosses (such as 23K7) is considered a Rowhouse structure composed of separate Rowhouses. As a multi-hex building, Rowhouses have an upper level(s) and are considered either 1½ level obstacles to LOS if they have only an inherent stairwell (23.22) such as 20X6, or 2½ level obstacles if they have a printed stairwell such as 12O4 (23.23). The thick black bar blocks all LOS through it at all levels [EXC: Rowhouse rooftop units retain their normal LOS]. Rubble has no effect on this black bar unless both hexes formed by that hexside are rubbled, in which case it ceases to exist. Infantry in a Rowhouse may move/
EX: The broken Russian squad in 20I7 must rout, but if it routs into H6 along the H7 side of the building it would be subject to Interdiction from I8 at the I7-H7-H6 vertex. Routing up a level in I7 would save it temporarily but leave it very vulnerable to the next German move, so it elects to rout to H6 on the other side of the building because neither German unit has a LOS to the I7-I6-H6 vertex along the I6 side of the building to H6.
EX: A unit in 21O8 does not have a LOS to a unit in P8 because the LOS between the two hex center dots is blocked by the black bar. However, a unit in P8 does have a LOS to P7 because the black bar does not extend to the midpoint of the hexside. Even so, a unit in P8 wishing to directly enter P7 during the MPh would still be subject to FFMO/
NOTE: Owners of board 12 may need to draw these bars onto their board across the O6-O7, O4-P3, and P3-Q4 hexsides within the confines of the building depictions themselves.
23.711 BREACH: Any unbroken Infantry with a DC in a Rowhouse may attempt to Breach the black bar by expending one MF to Place a DC during its MPh and declaring the Rowhouse hexside it is attacking. If successfully Placed, the DC attack is resolved vs. the hexside (only - but with normal TEM) during the AFPh; if the DC detonates, it will Breach the wall with any NMC or better result on the IFT and, using the same Original IFT DR, will attack any units in the corresponding adjacent Rowhouse Location as Area Fire (12 FP) with full TEM [EXC to both: if the DC malfunctions; A23.4]. Place a Breach counter in the proper Location with the arrow pointing toward the breached hexside. Thereafter, normal building-to-building LOS and movement options exist between that level and the same level of the breached ADJACENT rowhouse. A Breach is also created whenever an AFV drives through a black bar without causing rubble as per 23.41. Q&A
23.72 SPLIT LEVEL BUILDINGS: Multi-hex buildings located on different elevation levels such as 15Q8-R8 and containing only one staircase symbol in the lower elevation hex are actually a combination of 1st and 2nd level building hexes. While the building represents (the building hex containing the stairwell is a 2½ level obstacle on ground level, while the building hex not containing the stairwell is a 1½ level obstacle on a level 1 hex), that building hex located on higher terrain actually has one less level than the portion located on lower terrain. The first level of the higher hex connects directly to the second level of the lower hex. Movement within the building to the ground level of the higher hex must be made from Level 1 of the lower hex, etc.
EX: A unit in 15R8 moving within the building directly to Level 1 of Q8 must move by way of the second level Location in R8 and vice versa.
23.721 Multi-hex buildings located on different elevation levels and containing a stairwell symbol in both hexes such as 24U4-V3 have the same number of building levels in each hex, but that building hex located on higher terrain presents a higher obstacle to LOS than the building hex on lower terrain. Movement within the building from the higher hex to the lower hex must be made from a building level which is one lower than the building level moved into and vice versa.
23.722 Similarly, whenever a multi-hex building is defined by SSR as having higher building levels in one hex than in another, a special LOS restriction applies in that the top level of the higher hex cannot see the top level of the lower hexes (and vice versa) [EXC: units on rooftops] because the roof of the lower level building hex is between them.
EX: The most direct movement from the second level of 24U4 to the second level of V3 is via the first level of V3.
23.73 MARKETPLACE: Building hex 12R7 is unique in that it has no building obstacle at ground level, as signified by the white dashed lines on the R7 building depiction. Ground level LOS may be maintained through this hex (inclusive of hexsides) in any direction; units of all types may move through it at ground level/
23.731 The marketplace hex contains an overhead building Level 1 Location which can be reached directly from ground level only by the inherent (exterior) staircase in the hex. Units moving from ground level to Level 1 (and vice versa) in the MPh via this inherent staircase are considered to be moving in the open at ground level.
23.732 The 1st level of the marketplace is considered to overhang the ground level structure to the extent that fire to and from the Level 1 of 12R7 can be accurately traced to the hex center dot. Ground-to-ground LOS through or into the marketplace ground level exists normally, barring other LOS obstacles. LOS from a first level hex exists into both levels of the marketplace but through neither. LOS from a level 2 or 3 hex exists into both levels of the marketplace and also over it into hexes beyond, barring Blind Hexes caused by the 1½ level obstacle of the marketplace (see A6.4).
23.733 Due to the lack of a ground level building in the marketplace, many exceptions to normal building rules apply. Wire/
EX: 12S8 can see the ground level of O6 through the ground level opening of R7, but it cannot see the Level 1 or 2 of O6 due to the 1½ level obstacle caused by Level 1 of R7.
23.74 FACTORY: A Factory exists only by SSR, and represents any warehouse/
23.741 LOS/
23.742 MF/
EX: 20E7 is a Factory. The 4-6-8 in E7 attacks the 6-2-8 in D8 with a TEM of +3 because the LOS is not traced entirety through the Factory depiction. The 5-2-7 in B7 expends one MF to enter B8, two MF to enter C9 (entrance of a building), and only one MF to enter D9 (movement across a Factory hexside). Should the 4-6-7 Defensive First Fire on the 5-2-7 in D9 it will do so with a +2 DRM (+1 TEM [Factory] +2 [LOS Hindrance] -1 [FFNAM] = +2).
23.743 FACTORY RUBBLE: A rubbled Factory hex, although no longer a building hex, is still a part of the Factory [EXC: it does not hinder LOS over (B.4) it]. Normal rubble rules (24.) apply. Movement/
EX: 20E7 is a Factory. The 4-6-8 in E7 attacks the 6-2-8 in D8 with a TEM of +3 because the LOS is not traced entirely through the Factory depiction. The 5-2-7 in B7 expends one MF to enter B8, two MF to enter C9 (entrance of a building), and only one MF to enter D9 (movement across a Factory hexside). Should the 4-6-7 Defensive First Fire on the 5-2-7 in D9 it will do so with a +2 DRM (+1 TEM [Factory] +2 [LOS Hindrance] -1 [FFNAM] = +2).
The 4-4-7 attacks the 4-6-7 in D6 with a +1 TEM (as if across a Factory hexside) even though the LOF leaves the building depiction; the 4-4-7 would expend 1 MF to enter either D6, C7, or B6. The 4-5-8 attacks the 8-3-8 with a +1 TEM (as would the 4-4-7), but a unit at ground level in B6 would receive a +3 TEM from an attack by the 4-5-8 since the LOF does not cross the building depiction while entering the Location. The 4-2-6 on the roof attacks the 4-6-7 with a +1 TEM (and no Factory Hindrance). If hex C7 were also rubble, the 4-5-8 would attack a unit in B7 with +1 TEM. Normal Weather effects apply to hex C6 (e.g., Mist, Deep Snow, etc.), but not to the un-rubbled Factory Locations (A24.6; E3.8). If a +1 Mist LV Hindrance DRM (E3.32) were in effect at a range of hexes (E3.51), then all the preceding attacks from or "over" C6 would be affected by the Mist DRM, as would return fire (i.e., E3.8 would be NA); attacks between Factory Locations D6 and D9 would be affected by the +2 Factory LOS Hindrance between them but would not be affected by Mist (i.e., E3.8 would apply).
23.8 ROOFTOPS: Rooftops come into play only by SSR and, for purposes of unit occupation, do not exist on Single Story Houses. Rooftops are treated the same as another building floor level at the next higher half-level elevation except as amended below. All playable rooftop hexes are assumed to have an inherent stairwell to the level below. The MF costs for entrance of a directly connected rooftop Location is two MF for entrance of another rooftop or one MF for ascending/
23.81 TEM: A unit on a rooftop receives no building TEM, but does receive the +1 DRM for Height Advantage if applicable. Furthermore, it is considered to be in Open Ground for FFMO, Rout, and Interdiction purposes from an equal or higher LOS. A rooftop may not be fortified (23.9).
23.82 CONCEALMENT: A unit can remain hidden or concealed on a rooftop only if there are no Good Order enemy ground units within 16 hexes of it that are at the same or higher level with a LOS to it; these same restrictions apply to gaining "?" on a rooftop [EXC: the enemy units need only be unbroken (as opposed to Good Order) to prohibit such gain]. A unit on a rooftop is considered in the building for Searching/
23.83 RALLY: There is no terrain bonus (A10.61) for a Rally attempt on a Rooftop.
23.84 OBSTRUCTION: The presence of a Rooftop level does not make the building a higher obstacle to LOS.
23.85 GUNS: No ⅝" counter weapon may occupy a rooftop, except for a mortar of ≤ 82mm which must be dm to be portaged to/
23.86 RUBBLE: A rooftop never becomes rubble. It exists until any level beneath it in the same hex becomes rubble, at which time the rooftop simply ceases to exist. Q&A
23.87 FACTORY ROOFTOP ACCESS POINTS: Aside from Scaling (23.424), a Factory Rooftop can be reached from ground level only via a non-rubbled, non-roofless O5.4) Factory Rooftop Access Point; i.e., a printed stairwell or a Location of the Factory that contains a road hexside. A Factory that contains neither of these Rooftop Access Points must have at least one such Point designated by SSR if its Rooftop is to be usable. The ground and Rooftop levels of a Factory Rooftop Access Point hex are ADJACENT; intermediate vertical levels do not exist [EXC: for MF-expenditure, LOF and Residual-FP purposes; see 23.88]. Infantry expend two MF (for a 1½-level Factory) or three MF (for a 2½-level Factory) to ascend to the Rooftop or vice-versa.
23.88 ATTACK EFFECTS: Infantry changing levels via a Factory Rooftop Access Point may be attacked at ground level (if descending) and/
23.9 FORTIFIED BUILDINGS: Given sufficient time, materials, and inclination, buildings can be converted into miniature fortresses. The actual effects might vary widely (depending on the materials available), but are generalized as follows. Q&A
23.91 Optional counters may be used to indicate a Fortified Building. Only buildings can be fortified, and only by SSR or DYO purchase.
23.911 The number of Fortified Building levels is specified by SSR or DYO purchase. If the specific building Locations are not specified, they must be selected and secretly recorded prior to the start of play. Buildings cannot be fortified during play. A Fortified Building is not revealed until an enemy unit attempts to enter it, or it is fired on with a result which would be different due to the increased TEM of a Fortified Building.
23.912 All non-rooftop levels in a given hex of a multi-level building may be fortified by DYO purchase (H1.6) or SSR. Improvements must be made, in any one hex, from the ground up. Thus, a fortified Level 1 is possible only if the ground level directly below is also fortified. Improvements, or the lack thereof, in adjacent hexes of the same building do not affect this.
23.92 Except as modified below, Fortified Buildings are treated the same as other buildings.
23.921 TEM: The TEM of a Fortified Building Location is +4 for a stone building and +3 for a wooden building. Should a CH occur, the modifier becomes -4 or -3 respectively for the resolution of that CH. Q&A
23.922 ENTRY: Infantry may not enter a Fortified Building Location during any phase if an unpinned, Good Order, enemy squad (or its equivalent) is inside [EXC: Breach;]. A berserk unit must remain in the adjacent hex attacking it in its AFPh/
23.9221 BREACH: A Breach may be created in a Fortified Building as per 23.711, or in a hexside crossed by any HE attack Final IFT DR resulting in a KIA. Once breached, a Fortified Building can be entered through that hexside (and level) in the same manner as any building hex. However, all other Fortified Building benefits still apply. A DC may be Placed on a Fortified Building Location without attempting to Breach it at the normal building entry COT, even if the Placing unit could not enter the Location due to it being Fortified. Q&A
23.93 GUNS: A Fortified Building differs from a building in that any ART/
23.94 All attempts to start a Flame in a Fortified Building Location or to have an existing Blaze spread to such a hex are penalized by a -1 DRM [EXC: Flames caused by MOL attacks are penalized differently; A22.6111].
