Commander movement to close combat

[hazelbark]

A cavalry unit assaults another cavalry unit in the assault phase.

A general previous on his own moves to the cavalry unit in the movement phase.

If the general can move to the unit, can he fight in close combat for elan re-roll purposes? Even though he wasn't there for the assault phase?

[BrettPT]

I found the answer on page 18:

"During the movement or recovery phases of his own turn a commander may move to join any one infantry or cavalry unit of his own command, which is not already in combat."

I take this to mean you cannot move a commander in the movement phase to attach to a unit that assaulted (ie is in combat) this turn.

Interestingly, the addition of the words "of his own turn" seems to mean that you cannot use a commander's 4MU move in the opponent's recovery phase to attach to a unit (which we have been previously doing as a matter of course, either in preparation of leading an assault in your coming assault phase, or so that a unit will get a 'free' CMT in the next movement phase).

On page 43 it simply says "A commander may join a single unit during the Movement Phase or the Recovery Phase."

Terry, is joining a unit with a commander allowed in the opponent's recovery phase?

Cheers
Brett

[donm]

Brett,

Page 67 under 'The recovery phase.'

The non-active player may first move any of his commanders up to 4MU in preparation for his next turn.

Don

[donm]

Brett,

Terry, is joining a unit with a commander allowed in the opponent's recovery phase?

If you are preparing for next move, why can that not include leading a charge?

Don

[Chasseur]

Hi,

A Commander can join a unit in the enemy's Recovery phase and this is normally when you do it in preparation for an assault at the start of your move.
But my understanding is that you cannot join a unit at this or any other stage if it is in contact with enemy unit(s) (in the rare circumstance that a unit is still in contact).

Regards,
John Shaw

[hazelbark]

I found the answer on page 18:

"During the movement or recovery phases of his own turn a commander may move to join any one infantry or cavalry unit of his own command, which is not already in combat."

I take this to mean you cannot move a commander in the movement phase to attach to a unit that assaulted (ie is in combat) this turn.

Thank you. I agree that is very clear, just not where I'd look for it.

Interestingly, the addition of the words "of his own turn" seems to mean that you cannot use a commander's 4MU move in the opponent's recovery phase to attach to a unit (which we have been previously doing as a matter of course, either in preparation of leading an assault in your coming assault phase, or so that a unit will get a 'free' CMT in the next movement phase).

On page 43 it simply says "A commander may join a single unit during the Movement Phase or the Recovery Phase."

Terry, is joining a unit with a commander allowed in the opponent's recovery phase?

I take that whole sentence to refer to "not already in combat." Therefore you can join a unit not in combat of their command.

[donm]

John,

But my understanding is that you cannot join a unit at this or any other stage if it is in contact with enemy unit(s) (in the rare circumstance that a unit is still in contact).

Is this based on a section within the published rules or a left over from play testing.

Don

[Chasseur]

Hi Don,

Yes, that was my impression from playtesting. Needs a careful reading of the changes in the published rules to find the exact answer. So a post from Terry would be handy just to confirm.

Cheers,
John Shaw

[donm]

John,

I had a good read through the rules last night looking at this and there is no restrictions on a commander joining a unit in contact with an enemy unit.

The only restriction I could find was that he cannot recover a unit in contact with an enemy unit.

Don

[Chasseur]

Hi,

Thanks Don. Good to know the changes.

Cheers,
John Shaw

[BrettPT]

John,
I had a good read through the rules last night looking at this and there is no restrictions on a commander joining a unit in contact with an enemy unit.
The only restriction I could find was that he cannot recover a unit in contact with an enemy unit.
Don

What about the note on page 18? "During the movement or recovery phases of his own turn a commander may move to join any one infantry or cavalry unit of his own command, which is not already in combat."

That seems to suggest pretty conclusively that you cannot move to join a unit in combat. I realise that the word 'combat' is used, and that this would better read 'contact with enemy', however the intention is pretty clear - a commander cannot lead a unit in combat unless he was attached to it in the assault phase.

Am I missing something?
Brett

[terrys]

What about the note on page 18? "During the movement or recovery phases of his own turn a commander may move to join any one infantry or cavalry unit of his own command, which is not already in combat."

That seems to suggest pretty conclusively that you cannot move to join a unit in combat. I realise that the word 'combat' is used, and that this would better read 'contact with enemy', however the intention is pretty clear - a commander cannot lead a unit in combat unless he was attached to it in the assault phase.

The intent of the rules is that a commander cannot join a unit aready in combat and must start the move with the unit if he wants lead it in combat.
The justification for this is that the actual combat is ongoing throughout the move, and he can't just turn up at the end to provide his leadership.

Divisional Commanders and above usually positioned themselves away from units, so as to have a better view of the battlfield. They occasionally joined units as part of a planned assault.
We therefore restrict their ability to join units to "the movement or recovery phases of his own turn". We generally don't want commanders of this period to be used as a combat bonus, and we've tried to put hurdles in the way to prevent it. By only allowing them to join units in their own turn and reducing his command range if he does, we hope that players will not be tempted to throw them into combat at every opportunity.

[donm]

Terry,

Thanks very much for that, I think I am yet to commit any of my commanders in a game.

Don