Is this a charging bug?

[the_iron_duke]

I've noticed during gameplay that there are occasions when you can't charge at certain hex sides of enemy units. It's a bit difficult to explain without a diagram but hopefully you'll understand what I'm getting at when I describe how I've tried to investigate this using a custom scenario.

The enemy is a long line of MF light spearmen. The attackers are cavalry.

When the cavalry are two hexes away they can charge forward into one of two hexes and attack one of three enemy units on one of four hex sides - the left hand enemy unit on its left frontal side, the right hand unit on its right frontal side and the middle unit on either its left or right frontal side.

When the charging cavalry are three hexes away they can charge into three hexes and attack one of four enemy units. However, they can only attack five rather than six hex sides. They can't attack the right frontal hex of the enemy unit second from their left. This means if they want to attack that unit they have to charge into the middle hex rather than the left hex.

When the charging cavalry are four hexes away they can attack the enemy units on all eight available hex sides.

When the charging cavalry is five hexes away there are two hex sides they can't attack: the right frontal side of the 3rd unit from the charger's left and the right frontal side of the 4th unit from the charger's left.

I created this scenario a second time with different units and the results were the same.

I can't see any explanation as to why this would be intentional. If it is, it isn't consistently applied across all charge distances.

What are your thoughts?

[TheGrayMouser]

Ha ha, I know exactly what you are talking about. I don't believe this is intentional or supposed to represent anything , I personally believe its just a flukey pathfinding algorithm. You can probably get around it (if it really matters which hex you end up in to hit THAT unit vs the OTHER unit adjacent) by using the move a hex and pause and move again function . Would work with all but shock troops whom might very well anarchy if you try it.

[the_iron_duke]

Yes, I've just checked that it can be worked around by charging in two stages. As you say, there's a chance that it won't work with shock troops due to anarchy-charging so hopefully this is something that can be ironed out in the new Field of Glory - if the developers make themselves aware of it.

[TheGrayMouser]

Yes, I've just checked that it can be worked around by charging in two stages. As you say, there's a chance that it won't work with shock troops due to anarchy-charging so hopefully this is something that can be ironed out in the new Field of Glory - if the developers make themselves aware of it.

Since Dan (Cothyso) is re-writing everything from scratch I doudt it will be a continued "feature"! Cheers!

[TheGrayMouser]

Yes, I've just checked that it can be worked around by charging in two stages. As you say, there's a chance that it won't work with shock troops due to anarchy-charging so hopefully this is something that can be ironed out in the new Field of Glory - if the developers make themselves aware of it.

Since Dan (Cothyso) is re-writing everything from scratch I doudt it will be a continued "feature"! Cheers!

[the_iron_duke]

I was thinking the time when it would be most annoying would be if you had a shock unit three or five hexes away from an enemy line that was presenting one rear hex to attack on one of the hex sides that are affected by this bug. Unless one charged in two stages one wouldn't be able to hit that hex side and get the rear attack.

But then I thought would it actually be an added problem for shock troops? The shock unit would face an anarchy-charge when you first clicked on it. Would it then face a second anarchy-charge test after one had made that first stage of the two-stage charge that would be necessary in such circumstances?

In any case, I'm sure this charging issue must have come up in my games many times before so it's good to be aware of it and a workaround.

[the_iron_duke]

I've noticed what seems to be a variation on the charging bug I previously noted.



This picture has a line of LF skirmishers facing a couple of LH. The LH on the right is in a wood. All of the LF skirmishers in charging range can charge the LH in the open. None of the skirmishers in charging range can charge the LH in the wood.

However, if the LF skirmishers expend one movement point forwards then they are able to charge the LH in the wood in the same move.

[TheGrayMouser]

I've noticed what seems to be a variation on the charging bug I previously noted.



This picture has a line of LF skirmishers facing a couple of LH. The LH on the right is in a wood. All of the LF skirmishers in charging range can charge the LH in the open. None of the skirmishers in charging range can charge the LH in the wood.

However, if the LF skirmishers expend one movement point forwards then they are able to charge the LH in the wood in the same move.

Havnt been playing too much FOG recently so Im a bit rusty, but I beleive that sounds like a BIG BUG as I dont believe LF should EVER be allowed to charge anything but other LF ( unless possibly in the rear....)

[the_iron_duke]

that sounds like a BIG BUG

I think I've got to the bottom of this, and fortunately I don't think it's a game bug but rather a scenario editor quirk (or minor bug), relating to Fog-of-War.



Take this example of the opening turn of a test scenario with Fog-of-War on. The LF javelinman can see the enemy LH in the woods but, as the white movement hexes show, cannot charge it directly. If played with Fog-of-War off then it can charge it directly. So there's some disconnect issue going on with Fog-of-War in the opening move.

I don't think it's much of an issue for FoG players, though, unless one was playing a custom scenario where it had been set up for combat to occur in the opening turn. It's also worth knowing if you like to create custom scenarios to test the game mechanics, as I do.

I dont believe LF should EVER be allowed to charge anything but other LF ( unless possibly in the rear....)

The rules say:

CHARGING WITH SKIRMISHERS

- Light foot cannot charge unbroken non-skirmishers in open terrain.
- Light horse cannot charge unbroken non-skirmishers in open terrain except in their flank or rear.
Non-shock medium foot whose front rank has missile weapons must pass a complex move test to charge unbroken non-skirmishers they could otherwise shoot at.

So LF skirmishers can charge LH skirmishers in any terrain. In terrain like woods, LF can charge all units (MF, HF, Cav, etc.). I double-checked these things in a custom scenario and this seems to be the case.