What is Iron Difficulty?

[rogue187]

I noticed it once I installed the Marines, but it wasn't in the instruction manual, what does it do?

[CharlieMike24]

Is it when you can't quite get the creases out of your uniform?

[Smaragdadler]

Explanation for old Elite mode is in the manual on page 37.

Readme v1.10:

* "Elite" mode changed so that friendly troops are always displayed, even when not spotted by the current unit. A new mode called "Iron" behaves like the old Elite mode.

[rogue187]

So then whats the point? Why make a small change like that since the spotting thing was already accomplised by elite mode?

[MikeyD]

Do you have the v1.10 PDF manual? Its difficult to keep the printed manual current with all the gamechanges.

Page 43:

Elite

Elite is similar to the Veteran setting but introduces more realistic

time delays for a number of tasks and events. Hardcore players

will favor this setting. The following special rules apply:

- Enemies appear as generic “Enemy contacts” until

they are positively identified by your forces on the

battlefield

- Treating wounded soldiers takes a realistic amount of

time

- Artillery and air support take a realistic amount of

time to arrive

Iron

Iron is an optional setting that goes even one step further than

Elite, and introduces special restrictions on what the player

can do and when. While even more realistic than the other

settings, this option introduces a number of interface limitations

which might put off the casual player, so it is strictly an

optional choice.

- Friendly units need to be spotted just like enemy

units. If you have a friendly unit not in line of sight or

in contact with another friendly unit, then the only way

to find this unit is by either re-establishing contact with

another friendly unit or by clicking through the chain of

command in the game interface, jumping from unit to

unit.