Heavy Artillery: Can it pivot

[Skipper]

I know the Heavy Artillery can not move, but Can it pivot in place?

[deadtorius]

Educated guess would be no. In reality they were large and not mobile devices, not sure turning them was an option. Their arc could be changed slightly by moving the shot to one side or the other off center but to turn them would be a real effort. Not sure what the rules lawyers will say but thats my guess anyway

[kevinj]

I agree with Deadtorius, there is no option to pivot. Any flexibility in aiming is covered by the shooting arc.

[grahambriggs]

No. The only way a BG can pivot is via a wheel, and that would be a move.

[Skipper]

This is what I thought.

Thanks guys.

[peterrjohnston]

Curious, has anyone had success using artillery in FoG:AM?

[ottomanmjm]

Curious, has anyone had success using artillery in FoG:AM?

I used a BG of Heavy Artillery (with FF) in an Ottoman army in a recent comp. They helped break enemy battle groups in 3 out of 4 games so I think they were successful. Players always look surprised when they go to chase away my light horse and find themselves in range of the artillery

Regards
Martin

[smaul1]

Curious, has anyone had success using artillery in FoG:AM?

Players always look surprised when they go to chase away my light horse and find themselves in range of the artillery

Nice, I dig that.

[deadtorius]

Blathergut tried twice but I managed to stay out of its arc rxcept for 1 time and it does not melee too well He does not use it anymore.

[gozerius]

It is immobile, but what happens when contacted on a side or rear edge?, does it turn to face? It is not listed as exempt from turning to face. If it does not turn to face, does it roll dice in melee? P.93 states that a base fights the enemy in contact with its front edge.

[petedalby]

It is immobile, but what happens when contacted on a side or rear edge?, does it turn to face? It is not listed as exempt from turning to face. If it does not turn to face, does it roll dice in melee? P.93 states that a base fights the enemy in contact with its front edge.

Artillery respond as normal. They drop a level and turn the contacted base to face. If their opponents rout then they reform as normal.

[Jilu]

they reform normal? in what direction?

[petedalby]

they reform normal? in what direction?

See page 70

[peterrjohnston]

Artillery respond as normal. They drop a level and turn the contacted base to face. If their opponents rout then they reform as normal.

But heavy artillery can't move by definition - it states this twice in the rules.

[hazelbark]

Curious, has anyone had success using artillery in FoG:AM?

I took BGs of drileld Light Artillery with my chinese to a 3 round event. And they were surpisingly useful and fun.

Now terrain created some channels for the mounted foes who thought they could press in on them. But with decent supports the artillery got in a lot of rolls. In 2 games they actually seriously impacted the enemy. In one of those they both died, but by the time they did, I was able to win.

The two dice per frontage puts out more Firepower than people realize a single BG with say 1-2 bases of nearby foot bows starts to inflict some serious -on a CT test.

The biggest handicap is they really impede the manuverablity of the army. The CMT to move each time and only 4 MU if you are lucky on the double move, means they kind of are there. But for a foot based army an added fun bit.

I am very glad I took them and will occassionally continue to do so, even if for fun. Now Heavy I am not so certain about.

[petedalby]

But heavy artillery can't move by definition - it states this twice in the rules.

Part of me really doesn't want to attempt to respond to this....but here goes anyway.

For me, movement is defined in the General Movement Rules, and the Manoeuvre Phase. Both sections contain references to Heavy Artillery not being able to make Simple or Complex moves.

Page 57 also tells us that artillery can't charge - we also know they can't evade.
Page 71 tells us that artillery don't conform to enemy in close combat.
Page 72 tells us that artillery never expand or contract in melee.

Page 56 lists those BGs that do not turn when contacted in flank or rear - Bwgs and orbs. Artillery do not feature. Ergo - artillery bases contacted on a side or rear edge must turn. Arguably it's not 'movement' as the base remains in the same location - it is just representative.

[peterrjohnston]

p41 (simple and complex moves) "Heavy artillery cannot move at all"
p128 (definition of) "...immovable once set up"

When contacted in the the flank or rear, you turn to face "... using the normal rules for turning...". Turning in is defined in the General Movement Rules, ie it's movement, which for heavy artillery is that you cannot turn (move)... the rules state this twice!

Perhaps something else to be defined in a new FAQ...

(Although I suspect the number of games when I contact heavy artillery and in the flank/rear are likely to be limited! )

[philqw78]

Perhaps Hvy Arty turned up as much in play testing as they do now. I assume the authors wanted Arty to drop a cohesion level when hit in flank, unlike BWg and Orb. But didn't think it through properly.

[petedalby]

But didn't think it through properly.

Blasphemy!

[petedalby]

Perhaps something else to be defined in a new FAQ...

I'll leave that for you then Peter. Like you I've never seen it happen...