Fighting Partially in rough

[richafricanus]

A question from our game today using V2.
Two ranks of spear fighting knights to their front. The 2nd rank of spear are in rough so are disordered. The front rank are in the open so steady. Do the knights fight against the spear as steady or disordered - i.e. do the knights get to use their sword in melee?

[batesmotel]

Since the front rank stands are steady, I beleive the knights will not count their sword POA.

Chris

[Amra]

But would a single element of Sp fighting mounted also stop them using sword ?

[IanP]

Number of ranks has no effect on denying the sword POA, just that the spear (or Pike) in one rank wouldn't get their usual POA either, so would still be at a disadvantage if the enemy sword have better armour. (Assuming steady).
So mixed formations like the Byzantine infantry still have some sort of chance in melee.

[philqw78]

But would a single element of Sp fighting mounted also stop them using sword ?

As stated above the number of ranks makes no difference. Spear and pike just need to be steady to stop their opponents claiming swordsmen poa.

[bbotus]

But would a single element of Sp fighting mounted also stop them using sword ?

As stated above the number of ranks makes no difference. Spear and pike just need to be steady to stop their opponents claiming swordsmen poa.

And, only the front rank needs to be steady. The rear ranks can be in disordering terrain. Look at page 94 "Scoring Hits - POA" , 1st bullet, 2nd column. Also, look at the definition of "open terrain" on page 135 and the authors have a good discussion that terrain affecting rear ranks can reduce dice but does not affect POAs in the thread:
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=5769