Wheeling in a charge

[richafricanus]

A large unit X is facing 2 small units as per the diagram below. By wheeling the large unit will still have its centre facing the small left unit's centre. Can the large unit wheel to charge only 1 of the small units?

XXX
SSSS

Sorry if the diagram isn't clear. The question is really about whether you can wheel in a charge to try and pick on 1 of 2 units, both of which are to your front.

[KendallB]

Remember that you can't wheel the centre of your unit further away from the centre of the enemy unit. If you have two small units touching each other in that situation it is more than likely that if you wheel to avoid hitting one unit that you will be moving an imaginary line extending from the centre of the front edge of your unit further away from the centre of the enemy unit. Page 29, bullet point 3 and 4 of "Wheeling during an assault"

It depends on the situation but it looks highly unlikely that you can just pick on one unit.

[KeefM]

Ah, but what if . . . X = large unit, ST = small target unit, SN = small non-target unit . . . left side edges lined up . . .

XXX

STSN

. . . then wheeling the centre of XXX toward the centre of ST (from the right side of XXX) would leave it contacting SN when the charge moved straight ahead !

Alternately if XXX was more than half but less than a base-width further to the left, then when it wheeled ever so slightly to line up centres with ST, it could only contact ST.

[richafricanus]

Yes, that's kind of my point. I think if you aren't careful as the 2 small units, the big unit can pick on one of you. Doesn't feel like the intent of the rule, but it can be done. Perhaps the rule should say you can't wheel if this results in fewer bases being contacted than if you hadn't wheeled?

[KeefM]

I agree that it doesn't seem right.

However also consider the contrary argument: a) a unit does not have to wheel if this would cause them not to reach their target (3rd bullet, wheeling in assault, pg 29); b) they may not wheel to place less of their target to their front OR past the point at which the centre of the targets front edge is directly ahead of the centre of their own unit (4th bullet, same section); d) that the reverse of these isn't covered at all; and, e) that there is no mechanism in FoG-N for stepping forward bases into contact (and which is specifically part of FoG-AM). Given this, it may well be that 'picking off' units was intended ? After all, it could easily have been averted (as was specifically done in FoG-AM). Plus there are some disadvanatges to doing so - namely that the charging unit will be unable to avoid contacting the second small unit in any pursuit and likely be 'spent' on arrival (or, worse, disordered or wavering and at close range for shooting !).

It'd be useful to get some guidance from Terry on this one.

[deadtorius]

Unlike the other FOG rules stepping forward is irrelevant in these rules as you don't melee by individual bases but by a unit as a whole, regardless of how much of a unit is in contact.
I would think in this case you could wheel slightly to come in at an angle to hit one target only. The other unit can intercept or stay put and count as flank support in the combat.

[Amra]

I'm not sure "it doesn't seem right" .

It's my turn so I can act to stop being ganged up on . I don't just have to sit and take it .It's my move so I can make choices in my targets ,if you have come forward in such a way to allow me to.

You can opt to counter charge with the non-targeted unit .

IMHO it just reflects having the initiative in your move.

[KeefM]

I'm relaxed either way . . . but, it would be useful for Terry to say what the intent was. Ditto with being able to both intercept and countercharge at same charging unit (per the other 'current' thread).

[hazelbark]

The other piece of this, if you wheel and don't target one unit then you free it up to intercept.

XXX


^
ST SN

So ST will counter charge the distance per the rules. XXX has declared its charge. It is very possible that SN can intercept to a position where XXX hits both units. This is pretty easily engineed if XXX starts nearly in front of SN. If XXX was say 5 MU to the readers left it would be hard to engineer.

[KeefM]

Terry cleared it all up here: viewtopic.php?f=188&t=47821

[terrys]

Ah, but what if . . . X = large unit, ST = small target unit, SN = small non-target unit . . . left side edges lined up . . .

XXX

STSN

. . . then wheeling the centre of XXX toward the centre of ST (from the right side of XXX) would leave it contacting SN when the charge moved straight ahead !
Alternately if XXX was more than half but less than a base-width further to the left, then when it wheeled ever so slightly to line up centres with ST, it could only contact ST.

If the left edges (on the diagram) of xxx and ST where lined up, xxx could not wheel enough to contact ST without contacting SN first. Therefore the charge would be on SN and the wheel would be illegal.
If xxx was to the left of ST by more than half a base, it could wheel towards ST and avoid having to contact SN. SN would either fire in its own right, or in support of ST, and would also contribute dice to the combat (probably).