Interceptions

[stevoid]

Hi,

A few questions about intercept charges.

In general I'm interested in situations where the direct path forward of the interceptors contains another enemy BG besides the chargers.

1. If an interception charge can also contact other enemy while moving to intercept chargers, can/must it do so, i.e, like other charges, does it count as declared on all in its path.

2. If it can/must contact other enemy, then is it allowed to step forward to contact or get closer to the original chargers or other enemy in its ZOI?

3. Does 'directly forward' (p 31) include stepping forward or is that considered a formation change? If it can step forward, can it do so after contacting the chargers, and if so, then can that stepping forward exceed the 4 MU limit.

4. Is it correct that unless explicitly excepted in the two clauses on page 31, an interception charge must be directly forward and not include any wheels or dropping back of bases, therefore, if friends partially block the ZOI, then an interception is not possible and no charge can be made to intercept even though enemy go through the ZOI?

All guidance on interception chargers gratefully accepted.

Cheers,

Steve

[shall]

Intercept charges are pri arily their for situations wqhre troops could inarguably get in the way of enemy action. As a result they are much more limited than charge and cna only move dircetly ahead to get in the way (with a slight wheel to make sure its hteir front that does so if need be)(.

Hi,

A few questions about intercept charges.

In general I'm interested in situations where the direct path forward of the interceptors contains another enemy BG besides the chargers.

1. If an interception charge can also contact other enemy while moving to intercept chargers, can/must it do so, i.e, like other charges, does it count as declared on all in its path.

The intercepting BG can move directly forwards but cannot contact other enemy. If other enemy stop its forward move being enough to get in the way of the charge it can't intercept. If it can get far enoiugh forward before contacting such enemy it can.

2. If it can/must contact other enemy, then is it allowed to step forward to contact or get closer to the original chargers or other enemy in its ZOI?

na

3. Does 'directly forward' (p 31) include stepping forward or is that considered a formation change? If it can step forward, can it do so after contacting the chargers, and if so, then can that stepping forward exceed the 4 MU limit.

no formation changes are allowed and steeoig forward is a move specifically allowed for troops who have charged and contacted enemy. That's the only time it applies. Intercepts are usually putting troops in the way to receive a charge (exception being when they contact flank or rear and thereby stop the enemy moving at all).

4. Is it correct that unless explicitly excepted in the two clauses on page 31, an interception charge must be directly forward and not include any wheels or dropping back of bases, therefore, if friends partially block the ZOI, then an interception is not possible and no charge can be made to intercept even though enemy go through the ZOI?

Indeed. the exception is specifically designed fro situation where troops are intercepting from the side of a charge. Imagine a BG


XX

....YYYYY

Y charge upthe page. XX can intecept but unless allowed to wheel sligthly would put itself in front such that it gets charged to flank. The exception is there to allow it to wheel to make the resulting YY contact a front rather than flnak contact.
All guidance on interception chargers gratefully accepted.

Si

[stevoid]

Thanks for the quick reply Si,

I think I've got it all now but just a few clarifications/conformations to seal it

1. Does a normal, i.e. straight ahead, Interception Charge contact the chargers if they are in reach or does it stop just short? The rules say the intercept can be up to the limit of their ZOI but aren't clear (IMO) on whether they are to contact or just leave themselves in a position to block the chargers who then contact them. I think from your answer (to my question about stepping-forward) you are saying they don't contact - contacting is only an option when a flank or rear can be hit. If they do stop short, is it at the discretion of the intercepting player as to just how far he goes forward, and if so, can the interception be made such that the chargers can still wheel/step-forward to hit the original target or is there a compulsion to prevent this if possible?

2. When a flank or rear can be hit and the Interception Charge is treated like a normal charge but in the other persons turn, can/must the interceptors step forward in that situation if they can contact other enemy? If so, is the step-forward additional movement as per normal (up to 2 MUs)?

3. When something like Pike make an Intercept Charge against shock mounted (and not in their flank/rear), do they lose one of their impact POA's, e.g. either the POA for not charging (because they have), or the POA for charging foot or non-shock mounted? If so, does this loss of POA apply even when they intercept charge but don't contact the chargers, i.e. just block the chargers who then contact them?

Despite the seeming detail of my questions I very much like the interception mechanism and overall find it straight forward. It is certainly an improvement on mechanisms where part/quarter moves are made etc.

Cheers,

Steve

[rbodleyscott]

3. When something like Pike make an Intercept Charge against shock mounted (and not in their flank/rear), do they lose one of their impact POA's, e.g. either the POA for not charging (because they have), or the POA for charging foot or non-shock mounted? If so, does this loss of POA apply even when they intercept charge but don't contact the chargers, i.e. just block the chargers who then contact them?

Yes and Yes. The point is they are not standing stock still preparing to receive the charge.

[stevoid]

Thanks Richard, it makes sense to me. However, I'd suggest that the answer to 3 is one for the FAQs because I can see how some players might argue that having made an intercept move, stopped short of the chargers, and then having been hit by the chargers, that the POA for the pike still applies to that particular impact combat.

Now if I can just get 1 and 2 clarified I think I'm sorted on Interception Charges

Steve

[shall]

Richard dealt with 3 - one of ther prices you pay for having to intercept with troops who would not fgind it eaasy to do so...

1. Does a normal, i.e. straight ahead, Interception Charge contact the chargers if they are in reach or does it stop just short? The rules say the intercept can be up to the limit of their ZOI but aren't clear (IMO) on whether they are to contact or just leave themselves in a position to block the chargers who then contact them. I think from your answer (to my question about stepping-forward) you are saying they don't contact - contacting is only an option when a flank or rear can be hit. If they do stop short, is it at the discretion of the intercepting player as to just how far he goes forward, and if so, can the interception be made such that the chargers can still wheel/step-forward to hit the original target or is there a compulsion to prevent this if possible?

In this case the interceeption is exaclty that and the chargers are still the originally charging unit. The interceptor moves forward as much as they want within their ZOI (subject to any restrictions like troops in the way). They are only supposed to be crossing the path of the charge so their move stops short of actually touching the chargers. The chargers then carry out their charge and press forward as normal.


2.

When a flank or rear can be hit and the Interception Charge is treated like a normal charge but in the other persons turn, can/must the interceptors step forward in that situation if they can contact other enemy? If so, is the step-forward additional movement as per normal (up to 2 MUs)?

In this case the BG intercepted has its charge cancelled and simply take the impact. In this case it is the interceptors who are the chargers and they make contact and press forward.

You will find this combination gets the most figures in using the most realistic method for both cases.

Si

[terrys]

Thanks Richard, it makes sense to me. However, I'd suggest that the answer to 3 is one for the FAQs because I can see how some players might argue that having made an intercept move, stopped short of the chargers, and then having been hit by the chargers, that the POA for the pike still applies to that particular impact combat.

I might as well add my 2 pennyworth.

An intercept is defined in the rules as an 'Intercept CHARGE' and not an 'Intercept MOVE', therefore, even though you stopped short you are still considered to have 'charged' during the move.

Worth an FAQ though.

[rbodleyscott]

An intercept is defined in the rules as an 'Intercept CHARGE' and not an 'Intercept MOVE', therefore, even though you stopped short you are still considered to have 'charged' during the move.

And, of course, you should bear in mind that the order of movement is only to facilitate the process for game purposes. In reality both the charge and the intercept charge are assumed to be happening at least to some extent simultaneously. So the interceptors can be assumed either to be moving at the moment of impact, or at least not in a defensive formation - hence they use charging POAs and lose any POAs that depend on not charging. (i.e. those that assume the BG to be set up in a defensive formation ready to receive a charge).

[stevoid]

Wow! A tag-team effort on the replies. Thanks all, you have very much cleared it up.

Cheers,

Steve