Target Arcs and spotting

[sttp]

I'm starting to get back into CM in a big way recently, and want to be 100% clear on something: Assigning a target arc has no effect on that unit's spotting cycle or the probability of them seeing an enemy sooner, is that correct?

In other words, an arc is just a targeting restriction and does not tell a unit to focus more of their spotting 'energy' on a particular area?

That had been my understanding, but I've been questioning it recently, and it's clear from the Steam forums and Discord that even some experienced players think of the target arc as a sort of 'Focus Your Attention Here' kind of command.

[Centurian52]

Facing effects spotting, in that a unit will spot better to their front. Your units focus greater attention to their front than in any other direction. And target arcs effect facing (your units will generally face towards the center of a target arc command). But how wide or narrow the target arc is will have absolutely no effect on spotting. There is no inherent bonus to spotting enemy units inside the arc vs outside the arc. Your units will not focus greater attention inside the arc vs outside the arc. They will probably be more likely to spot enemy units inside the arc, but only because enemy units inside the arc will tend to be to your units' front.

[Warts 'n' all]

1 hour ago, Centurian52 said:

Facing effects spotting, in that a unit will spot better to their front. Your units focus greater attention to their front than in any other direction. And target arcs effect facing (your units will generally face towards the center of a target arc command). But how wide or narrow the target arc is will have absolutely no effect on spotting. There is no inherent bonus to spotting enemy units inside the arc vs outside the arc. Your units will not focus greater attention inside the arc vs outside the arc. They will probably be more likely to spot enemy units inside the arc, but only because enemy units inside the arc will tend to be to your units' front.

Spot on (pun intended).

[chuckdyke]

360⁰ will restrict it of what you feel is the unit's tactical range. Example Marksman 500 meters, Rifle 200 meters, submachine gun 100 meters. So you split and avoid too much ammunition wastage and only a few members of a squad will give away their position. It depends on the task you set for the unit.