Art De La Guerre

[KevinD]

What factors apply in the first round of combat when there is no charge, such as combats resulting from conforming or pursuit?

According to p 63, “Special abilities”, those listed on p17-20 that apply to the first round of combat are out.

But what about “Combat factors” (p22)?
(The bonus for bowmen vs mounted is out because the mounted did not charge.)
What about the +1 for non-impact Cavalry VS LMI and MI Swords? Do non-impact cavalry get this +1 when they fight enemy after conforming from a previous contact or pursuit?
What about Scythed chariot? Do they drop an enemy factor to 0 and cancel enemy support if they contact via conforming or pursuit?

On a related note, if two units are side edge to side edge (with no other enemy in melee) and one turns 90 degrees to hit the other in flank, does the turning unit count as charging and get the various charge bonuses? P63 is silent about what happens in this case, although p 42 (2nd bullet under special cases) says you can’t charge an enemy you are in contact with. So it would seem this flank contact is not a charge and special abilities relying on first round or charge are out. But does it count as first melee for Combat factors of non-impact cavalry or scythed chariots?

[babyshark]

Short answer: conform precludes charge.

Slightly longer answer: any time units start in contact with each other (e.g., side to side, corner to corner) there is no charge and none of the "first round only" abilities apply.

Marc

[KevinD]

[Hazelbark]

yes. Those do not apply

[Mars]

It certainly helps to have this clarified as the more I read p.15 the more I was convinced it could be read both ways. While a charge will always result in a 'first round of combat' it is clear that there are times that one unit will contact and fight another 'for the first time' where that contact has not resulted from a charge. This would also be a 'first round of combat' (in strict language terms, regardless of whether the rules intent is different).

If the term 'first round of combat' is intended to ONLY EVER refer to a combat occurring immediately, and as a direct result of, a charge it would help if that was made clear in an errata, otherwise it's just one way of interpreting that wording.

Better still maybe would have been to use the term 'charge' rather than the (more open to interpretation) 'first round of combat'.

[KevinD]

[ethan]

P. 63 clarifies this.

Special Abilities...

First Round of Melee

These abilities are only effective during the first round of a melee --if the unit charges or is charged--..."

Essentially everything that doesn't operate at all times doesn't count. Perhaps it could be clearer but that is an interpretation not at odds with the rules and is how it has been universally played.

The rules are clear that you cannot charge someone you are in contact with in any way. (p.42)