Art De La Guerre

AlanCutner · Tribun Inscrit le: 03 Nov 2014 Messages: 709 Localisation: Scotland

More of a comment than a query. Over the weekend there was the following position. Two pike units, each 4 ranks (A and B) facing up the page.

_B
_B
AB
AB
A
A

To their right is an enemy unit. It wanted to charge the flank of A (for various reasons a flank attack on B wasn't possible). I ruled the charge couldn't take place as it would be unable to conform due to the rear ranks of unit B. t was suggested those rear ranks could be removed as they're optional. But it actually states they can be removed 'if they impede the movement of the unit' (referring to the pike unit itself) - and this wasn't the case.

The feeling was that there appears to be some scope for gamesmanship here. The owning player can effectively choose whether or not to have extra ranks to block movement as they wish (albeit they would have to engineer it a bit). It might be preferable if the rear ranks were optional under all circumstances.

madaxeman · Post� le: Lun Sep 24, 2018 6:39 pm Sujet du message:

Hazelbark · Magister Militum Inscrit le: 12 Nov 2014 Messages: 1529

So A's flank was partially blocked by B?

Was the part blocked inclusive of the 40mm side edge? What the part of B doing to blocking part of the 40mm side edge?

I don't see how if any of the 40mm side edge of A was blocked by any of the 40mm depth of B that this is a legal contact.

Consider

MI.HI

The Heavy block 30mm of the side edge of the 40mm deep MI. But that does not allow a charge on the MI flank. right?

AlanCutner · Post� le: Mar Sep 25, 2018 7:30 am Sujet du message:

Two things

1. Why do you consider pikes to have a 40mm depth? They are HI so, once 3rd/4th ranks are disregarded, they have a 30mm depth. If these units had been Heavy Spearmen we would only be considering 30mm depths.

2. The rules clearly state the 3rd/4th ranks of pike are removed if they impede movement of the unit (clearly referring to the movement of the pike unit). So there is no need to remove them because of an enemy movement.

I agree 100% they should not get in the way of any moves, friend or enemy. But right now I'm not aware of anything in the rules that covers that.

Ramses II · Post� le: Mar Sep 25, 2018 9:51 am Sujet du message:

Although I don’t think it was unclear before, this is covered by Appendix 1 in the latest FAQ.
In this case it may be simplest to remove unit B4 temporarily (using the other B units as a marker), though obviously that depends on the particular circumstances in the game.

lionelrus · Post� le: Mar Sep 25, 2018 9:53 am Sujet du message:

Hazelbark · Magister Militum Inscrit le: 12 Nov 2014 Messages: 1529

AlanCutner · Post� le: Mar Sep 25, 2018 3:56 pm Sujet du message:

Ramses II · Post� le: Mar Sep 25, 2018 10:41 pm Sujet du message:

I think I would just say :-

“Although Pikes are represented by more figures on deeper bases than other units, for all game purposes they are considered to be based on Heavy Infantry bases.”

In the above diagram, each pike ‘column’ should be 4x30cm or 3UD long, so depending on the bases available, the player would probably leave a number of figures off-table until they are needed when one or more units turn at right angles to the column facing (which would force those unit(s) behind to retire slightly per diagrams on p29 & 30).