March column in combat and firing

[trouvere]

Hello all,

I am just getting into this game and really like the look of it. I'm hoping you can help with a rule issue we had.

We couldn't find any mention in the rulebook, but is a column of march punished in combat any way. I can see that a march column will only get 4 die in close combat (same as a square and any units in a building), but this seems a bit too strong for me. The march column can hold its own reasonably well if this is the only penalty. There must be something I'm missing...

Also, when firing, I'm assuming that columns cannot fire at all, though this is not explicitly stated.

And finally, while I'm here, can a square formation shoot at medium range? We'll assume that the unit is reformed and would therefore normally have medium range capacity, but does the fact that it has formed square prevent it from shooting at medium range?

[deadtorius]

We couldn't find any mention in the rulebook, but is a column of march punished in combat any way. I can see that a march column will only get 4 die in close combat (same as a square and any units in a building), but this seems a bit too strong for me. The march column can hold its own reasonably well if this is the only penalty. There must be something I'm missing...

Check the POA chart and at the bottom March column gets a - POA so they need a 5 to score a hit. Also long range artillery shooting will get a + POA for a deep formation target, also applies to squares and units 3 deep (usually they are the large 6 base units 2 wide)

Also, when firing, I'm assuming that columns cannot fire at all, though this is not explicitly stated.

that is correct I don't think they can shoot since you have to be in skirmish or tactical or square to shoot if infantry.

And finally, while I'm here, can a square formation shoot at medium range? We'll assume that the unit is reformed and would therefore normally have medium range capacity, but does the fact that it has formed square prevent it from shooting at medium range?

No they can not. Square is a defensive formation and your skirmishers have been pulled in so only close range shooting is available to you.

[Philip]

Page 50, third bullet point:
Units in March Column cannot fire or add supporting dice to another unit.

[trouvere]

Thanks for these speedy responses. They are the answers I hoped for.

For some strange reason, the march column combat modifier is missing from my reference cards, though I can see this modifier clear as day in the rulebook now that you point it out.

[BrettPT]

For completeness:

Page 56 (chart): March Columns count as 'other troops or situations' and get 4/6 dice in combat for a small/large unit; and
Page 28 (4th bullet point), troops in March Column cannot launch assaults unless across a bridge, or along a road into buildings.