[Bryan]

Thank you Big Al, you’ve put that clearly and thanks for covering both brigade and separate orders.

[Bryan]

Thanks Big Al, very helpful, particularly the reminder about open order order vs skirmish and the follow on issues.

[Bryan]

Hey Guys. What are your thoughts on this.

A Napoleonic Infantry unit;
– Moves up to a forest.
– Changes to skirmish formation
– Moves into the forest to be on the edge

A nearby enemy unit decides to clear this threat by charging it.

It declares a charge and rolls a successful 3 moves.

The first move is up to the edge of the forest thereby also contacting the enemy that is in skirmish order in the forest.

If the Skirmish does not evade, Does

A
– the combat take place with the skirmish unit gaining cover bonus and skirmish disadvantage and the attacking unit fighting as normal (as it’s not in the woods).

– this would be the same as charging a linear obstacle with similar results.

B
– the chargers second move is to change to skirmish with it’s second move

– it then counts as charging into contact with the third move

– this would then count as fighting in the woods

– this would create an odd problem if they only rolled two moves as they would end up in contact but not in combat which seems against the rules

So far, as someone in our group suggested, for ease of play when we first started, that it was all too hard and you could not charge the skirmishers in the woods. This has led to, probably obvious, problems.

Any thoughts?

[Bryan]

G’Day Guys. A quick question on Mixed Order in COE.If a French battalion is in Attack Column and adopts mixed formation does Pas De Charge still apply.
I suspect it doesn’t as it is now mixed not Column but the counter to this is that for a number of things it still counts as column.
Any thougbts?

[Bryan]

Thanks. Will do.

[Bryan]

Thanks very much for the clear response Big Al.

In truth, most of us see it that way but the alternate interpretation that it can’t has been strongly adhered to by one or two players. At least we now have an independent, authoritative view.

[Bryan]

A Charged Question

This should be a simple beginners question but a group of us have been playing BP for a number of years, starting with the main rule book, then both Albion Triumphant books, now we have started playing using Clash of Eagles and yet we still don’t have consensus on this simple, basic rule which is interpreted in two (sometimes three) different ways within the group.

Over the years both interpretations below have been discussed at length, often without either interpretation convincing everyone. Even where historical examples have been cited from battles covering a hundred year period or more, these have only served to reinforce one viewpoint or the other.

Clearly, as we still play regularly, we work this out in a gentlemanly fashion by politely using whichever interpretation causes the least distress to any player who feels very strongly about it. However, with a big game coming up with players from other groups attending, we would really appreciate an official rule interpretation to reduce confusion. (even if we have to house rule it on the day to keep some people happy)

So, here is the problem we have regarding charges;

Looking at the diagram on Pg 59, the blue players unit is directly to the front quarter and facing the front of the opposing unit and charges the front, no problem. There is also no issue with the unit in the Left Flank Quarter making a charge to the flank.

The problem comes when the unit to the east is further north than in the diagram, say, next to the first unit as it might as a support. Let’s say it is facing south and is north of a line drawn across the front of the opposing players unit. Let’s say also that while the unit leader is in the opposing players Right Flank Quarter, a significant part (say 1/3) lies in the Front Quarter and it is within 12”. I’ve added an altered version of the Pg 59 diagram to show this in case this text is confusing Note that I have also moved the first Blue unit to make the issue clearer.

The question is; can the unit to the east charge the opposing units Flank.

Interpretation 1, Cannot charge; As the unit to the east lies in front of a line drawn across the front of the opposing unit, as per the diagram on Pg 40, it is in front of the opposing unit and the rules state “if a unit begins its turn to the front of an enemy formation it will attempt to charge to the front”. Note that front is not capitalised and therefore does not mean the Front Quarter, but the simple English term front, obviously as per Pg 40. The Leader model would need to be behind this line to charge the Flank.

Interpretation 2, Can charge; The Unit Leader is in the opposing units Right Flank Quarter as per the diagram on Pg 58 and Para 4 of Pg 59 and this diagram and the paragraph next to it make no mention of a line across the front, only quarters. The term front, Front and Front Quarter seem to be interchangeable as in the diagram. It will complete the move within it’s Front Quarter.

A further wrinkle; If the unit were closer, say corner to corner with the opposing unit, could it charge. If it is allowed to charge as above then after contacting and any shifting to maximise contact, although the Leader Model will be within its original Front Quarter, part of the unit would slide out. Does the unit stay in its Front Quarter with the Leader possibly not contacting directly. Does it, like ignoring individual model movement during a charge, ignore this and slide. Or does this prevent a single move charge, requiring the unit to reposition, then charge.

An official answer or at least one with rules quotes would be greatly appreciated. So, can it charge or not and if it can, what if starts closer.

Thanks.

Attachments:

1. 

   Charge-Question.jpg
   

[Author]

Posts