Art De La Guerre

[Mark G Fry]

I was wondering about the restrictions on units in an ambush.

I have 2 ambush markers side by side in terrain that obscures vision (a Plantation).
I have a Corp of units that consists of:

6 x MF swd
1 x HC impact (with an included general)
1 x LF jav

Page 77 states that the units in the Ambush must be ultimately deployed in a 'valid group'. The definition of a 'Group' is defined on Page 10, however this states that for movement purposes a group cannot contain both Mounted & Foot units (with the exceptions of LF & Elephants).

As each Ambush marker can hold up to 4 units, in theory I could fit the entire command in ambush across the 2 markers.
The 1st marker is easy enough - that contains 4 of the MF swd.
The 2nd however, is more tricky, as that would have to contain the remaining 2 MF swd + the HC impact and the LF jav.
As the HC cannot move in the same movement group as the MF swd, does that make it an 'illegal formation' for Ambushing purposes, assuming that upon deployment all the other requirements for a 'legal formation' are met - e.g. facing in the same direction & in corner to corner contact?

So is a 'valid group' for Ambush purposes the same as a 'group' for movement?
Thanks
Mark
_________________
'He could have lived a risk-free, moneyed life, but he preferred to whittle away his fortune on warfare.' Xenophon, The Anabasis

[SteveR]

In my opinion the group idea is the same. If it cannot move as a group, then it cannot be considered a valid group for ambush purposes.

To believe otherwise would imply a subtlety to the rules definition that does not seem to be their intent.

But I do like the idea of the 2 sword being in contact with the LI and then the LI in contact with the HC. So that although the overall group is not a group each of the sub components are - the LI providing a necessary bridge. It's still not legal in my opinion but gosh is it esthetic.

[Ramses II]

Correct Steve. The HC cannot be contained in either ambush as it cannot be included in a valid group. 

[Mark G Fry]

I suspected that I was trying to be too subtle in my approach - and like Steve, I'd thought about using the LF as the 'bridge' between the MF and the HC impact
But it is not to be.
Good to have that clarified.
Thanks all

Mark
_________________
'He could have lived a risk-free, moneyed life, but he preferred to whittle away his fortune on warfare.' Xenophon, The Anabasis

[MarkK]

Unless I'm missing something, can someone explain to me what is the point of an ambush? I mean if you have to place a marker on the table it isn't much of a surprise attack. So how do they work in ADLG, is it more of a case that I have some troops there, but you don't know what they are and you will have to expend resources to deal with it?

[Mark G Fry]

[Ramses II]

As Mark Fry says, the point of an ambush is both to confuse the enemy and to gain a tactical / strategic advantage. This can be attempted in a variety of ways, for example, keeping up to four units off table in a flank march as well as an empty ambush - which way will the enemy manoeuvre ??

[MarkK]

Ok thanks chaps, that's how i understood it, not an ambush as such and more a ruse de guerre. point 3;

'an ambush marker (even an empty one) will slow down an enemy advance - as you cannot move a 2nd or 3rd move if you are within 4 UD of an enemy marker.'

Seems to be redundant in that case as the whole point of an ambush is you don't know it's there, so why would it interfere with you marching? If anything you want to catch them out the unexpected attack catching them in march formation. Poor old Varus could have saved himself a lot of trouble if that was the case.

But I take the point, it's more the act of a deception and can be used as a 'march blocker' to slow down an opponent.

[Hazelbark]