Art De La Guerre

[Chris J]

Quick question - couldn't find if this was answered before. Must the charge precisely follow the "exact direction of the charge" or can it follow the evading unit if the evade move (due to obstacles or distance rolled etc.) allows the evading unit to no longer be in the exact path of the charge as originally indicated. For example, using the left hand diagram on page 48 (Evade Blocked By An Obstacle), if LH2 only had B3 behind it and was charged by only one of the cavalry units, the evading player could evade by sliding along either the right side or the left side of B3. Assume the cavalry unit was actually parallel to LH2 and designates LH2 as its target, if it places the direction of the charge to the left of B3, the evader slides to the right. Conversely, if the charging player indicates a path to the right of B3, the evader slides to the left. If the charging unit is compelled to indicate and then follow that "exact direction", it will charge into space. ..an absurd result. So even if it indicates the target as LH2, because the player must also indicate the "exact direction" of the charge, the evading unit can easily get out of the way of the charge by sliding in the opposite direction.
Page 43,subsection 4, first bullet states that "at the beginning of the charge, you can slide or wheel. The second bullet states: "the unit then advances straight ahead in the specified direction". Does "specified direction" refer to the wording in section2 "player must indicate the exact direction of the charge" or is the specified direction that which is done after the movement that is allowed under the first bullet (wheeling or sliding) is performed.

The use of the diagram on page 48 is merely to illustrate a point. This situation occurred in a game where a charging LH was off at an angle to its target and indicated the direction of the charge so that it would contact the target in case it did not evade (which is required under page 43, section 5 - first bullet). When the player elected to evade, the target was no longer in the path of the charge as originally indicated since the attacker was at an angle and not parallel to (i.e. facing it). It was ultimately decided by the referee that the originally indicated charge direction must be followed causing the attacking LH to charge off into the wild blue wonder. In order to intersect the evade, the direction of that charge would have missed the target if it stayed put and did not evade.
Common sense certainly did not prevail here. ;^(
Any advice on this rule is appreciated.
Best
Chris

[KevinD]

You must follow the charge path you declared. Many players indicate this with a marker then the declare the charge.

A better rule (IMO) would be to allow charging units to (optionally) follow their target, but that’s not what the rules say.

PS - this might be better placed in the English part of the forum rather than the French part.

[Chris J]

Thanks Kevin, was not aware of the English forum. Glad you were looking at the French one.