Dismounting at end of deployment

[peterrjohnston]

You have the option to dismount at the end of deployment, for example, if the opponent has put down war-wagons after you have first deployed.

Now if you dismount as you put the figures on the table, you can use any legal formation (likely to be double rank if infantry). But I couldn't find anything about the end of deployment option. Can you re-do the formation? Do you deploy on the front line of the formation, rear even ...?

Not a very typical situation I admit.

Rgds,
Peter

[shall]

personal rather than full author response this one

I know we don't say but I have always just swapped the figures for an equivalent BG in the same formation with the same front rank location.

Seems sensible doesn't it? If you feel you may need to dismount your knights then better we 2 deep at the outset.

Si

[peterrjohnston]

Seems sensible doesn't it?

Well, yes of course. But then infantry are often more sensible in two or more ranks...

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with an opponent re-doing ranks as long as the BG remained centred on its front, for example.

Rgds,
Peter

[shall]

We have always looked at things from a reasonableness perspective and a game design one.

From the latter point of view its often better to limit flexibility as it sets puzzles to make people think in advance and has a benefit for doing so well. So while not a major issue I think it makes for a better game to have the same formation as its something else to make decisions about.

Si

[peterrjohnston]

From the latter point of view its often better to limit flexibility as it sets puzzles to make people think in advance and has a benefit for doing so well. So while not a major issue I think it makes for a better game to have the same formation as its something else to make decisions about.

Fair enough, I'm not arguing about it. To be honest I only thought because I noticed the dismount *after* war-wagons have been placed in the army quarters' deployments, then read on and saw you can dismount at the end as well.

Rgds,
Peter

[shall]

Hey no arguing here either

It was just to add a persecptive that we often built FOG from the idea of giving you lots of interesting decisions at times through the game and dismounting is no different if done the way I suggest. It means the player who thought in advance he may need to do so may end up in a better place quickly than one who didn't and was surprised by the need.

More decisions, more fun = more capacity to feel a military genius or a donkey by the end. All adds the feel of fun in the FOG.

Si

[rtaylor]

Dismounted knights deployed in a single rank should have plenty of opportunity to contract into two ranks before they impact anybody.

[peterrjohnston]

Dismounted knights deployed in a single rank should have plenty of opportunity to contract into two ranks before they impact anybody.

Oh, I don't know. I've had (cataphract) camels turn 90° to go off to the side a few moves then stand there like pillocks for the rest of the game
trying to turn back to face the enemy... "LEFT, TURN LEFT, NOT RIGHT, LEFT" screamed the officer in charge.

[hazelbark]

Dismounted knights deployed in a single rank should have plenty of opportunity to contract into two ranks before they impact anybody.

Oh, I don't know. I've had (cataphract) camels turn 90° to go off to the side a few moves then stand there like pillocks for the rest of the game
trying to turn back to face the enemy... "LEFT, TURN LEFT, NOT RIGHT, LEFT" screamed the officer in charge.

perhaps you should wheel.

[shall]

Or you could think ahead.........

Its possible to change formation but the time it loses you can give away the intiative.

You may never recover

Si

[peterrjohnston]

Or you could think ahead.........

Its possible to change formation but the time it loses you can give away the intiative.

You may never recover

Si

Give me a break, it happened in my 4th game!

Rgds,
Peter