Zone of control

In board wargames, zones of control represent the tiles adjacent to tiles occupied by objects. For example, in hexagonal tiled maps, the six hexagons adjacent to the hexagon occupied by a unit would be considered to be in its "zone of control."

Zones of control commonly are used to represent the portion of the map over which a military ground formation has a direct influence. Game rules often include specific effects associated with a zone of control. Typical effects include one or more of the following:

*Destruction of retreating enemy units.
*Enemy units must be attacked.
*Increased movement cost.
*Interdiction of enemy supply lines.
*Partly negate enemy zone of control.
*Prevent further movement.
*Reveal hidden enemy units.

Strategy computer games, such as the "Civilization" series, commonly use zones of control as a method to balance combat and grant extra strength to units in pairs.