Committing Generals to Combat

[Maniakes]

Suppose at the start of a close combat phase both players have generals available to commit to the front rank. Who declares first whether they are committing or not? I assume the active player does, but I couldn't find it in the rules.

[rbodleyscott]

Suppose at the start of a close combat phase both players have generals available to commit to the front rank. Who declares first whether they are committing or not? I assume the active player does, but I couldn't find it in the rules.

There is no rule. It does not have to be done in order. Just don't role your dice until it has been decided.

[Maniakes]

Maybe it's a beginers thing, but I've had situations where I only wanted to commit if I knew my opponent was going to - I still think it would be useful to have an order for who declares first

[nikgaukroger]

I tend to agree.

IIRC in the Joint Action Phase if there is a need to determine order the active player moves troops first - so I think something like that would work for sending generals into combat as well.

[sagji]

Except in this case the first player should be able to react to the other side committing.

[stevoid]

I tend to agree.

IIRC in the Joint Action Phase if there is a need to determine order the active player moves troops first - so I think something like that would work for sending generals into combat as well.

Actually, the active player either moves first or 'decides the sequence of events, should either side feel this is necessary' (p. 59). I'd imagine that the same philosophy might apply here. Alternatively, the feeding in approach might be taken whereby the non-active player has the opportunity to match the active player...

Steve

[hazelbark]

Except in this case the first player should be able to react to the other side committing.

But that isn't always the case. Like feeding more bases into combat is the active player first.

[terrys]

I've never really had a problem with this.
Whenever there's a combat where a general MAY choose to commit, I usually ask the question - "are you commiting your general"

There are only three possible replys:
1) Yes
2) No
3) Only if you commit yours

The 4th reply of "I don't know yet" get the response - "hurry up and make your mind up - I'm waiting to get on with the game"

After getting the reply, I then commit mine - or not!

(There is an additional response of "I'll commit mine if you don't commit yours" but that's fairly rare!!!!)

[stevoid]

What about "I won't commit if you don't commit"?

Edit: actually imagine how complicated it might get if both sides have multiple generals that (any one of) could commit...

We also have not had a problem with this yet.

[olivier]

And what about:
5) And you?

[carlos]

It's a bit like poker. The active player has his go and if non-active player responds in whatever way he wants. The active player shouldn't be able to change his mind then I think. Otherwise it can all get a bit silly!

[Maniakes]

[quote="terrys"]I've never really had a problem with this.
Whenever there's a combat where a general MAY choose to commit, I usually ask the question - "are you commiting your general"

There are only three possible replys:
1) Yes
2) No
3) Only if you commit yours

The 4th reply of "I don't know yet" get the response - "hurry up and make your mind up - I'm waiting to get on with the game"
quote]

Of course this does put you in the driving seat

Does no one ever say "I want you to declare first" ?

[Maniakes]

Hmm - I made a real mess of quoting there didn't I - baffled by modern technology again!

[moncholee]

The way we have been playing here, the active player declares first if he is commiting his general, then the other player decides wheter to commit or not.

Regards,
Javier.

[stevoid]

Mmmm, perhaps we're missing an opportunity here for when both generals commit to combat to initiate a mano a mano option

Steve

[terrys]

Since everything has to be decided before the dice are rolled, there is always an opportunity for a player to commit his general. You only roll the combat dice once both players are happy with the situation.

Once commited he can't be removed, so if one player commits just before rolling, the other player can still declare he will as well. There is no turn sequence in this - you only roll for combat when both players are ready.[/quote]