Combat Flank Support: Cavalry for Inf.??

[Blathergut]

A cavalry unit may give flank support to a friendly infantry unit, correct? (I know the other way around the answer is no and also no if the enemy is in square.)

[KeefM]

That's how I read it. Infantry specifically can't support cavalry. Cavalry can support infantry.

[deadtorius]

Unless the cav are on the flank of a square then no flank support period from cav.

[Blathergut]

Unless the cav are on the flank of a square then no flank support period from cav.

Where in the rules does it say this? It mentions, on page 56, that cavalry do not provide support against enemy squares.

It specifically states inf. and arty. cannot support cavalry. Other than the bit about squares, cavalry can support anything.

[deadtorius]

yah if you got troops attacking a square your cav can't give flank support for them thats all....

[Saxonian]

Just to be clear, are we agreed that cav can give flank support to a square, but cannot give flank support to any troops attacking a square?

[Blathergut]

Re: Squares - some tricky stuff

Postby terrys » 25 Apr 2012 17:14

[I don't think that a square has a support area so I do not think it can provide flank support.][Deadtorius]



Since a square doesn't have a flank edge it does not have a support area - so Yes, the above statement is correct.

terrys
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[Blathergut]

Re: Squares n Stuff

Postby terrys » 11 Feb 2014 08:25
When considering square for receiving support, you should assume that they are facing the enemy attacker - even if that means they are facing 2 directions. No matter how many enemy are attacking them, they will only ever have 2 sides from which to receive support. (unless attacked on 3 sides - in which case they only have 1)

When considering whether or not squares can give support, the supporting square should be considered to be facing one direction only - therefore its 2 support areas can only be forwards of that direction. I will add this as an update next time I publish the rules errata.
* Question - should we allow squares to rotate on the spot before firing to overcome the problem of enemy approaching from the corner (given that it represents more than 1 battalion in square) ?

> Squares should be considered to have 4 faces - but only one of them can be used for firing and/or support purposes in any one phase - unless being assaulted from more than one direction.

> It is correct that squares can give rear support to a unit not in square if it is within 1MU. I don't remember ever seeing this happen, but no reason why it couldn't

[Blathergut]

If any of that helps!

[Blathergut]

So I think we come to the following conclusions/interpretations:

a) cavalry can support infantry and artillery, just not against enemy squares
b) squares can receive flank support on up to two sides
c) squares can give flank support facing one direction

d) re: shooting (other thread): squares fire 360 in actuality; just how to manage this (either rotate somewhat or choose a facing that will do the firing??)

[Saxonian]

d) re: shooting (other thread): squares fire 360 in actuality; just how to manage this (either rotate somewhat or choose a facing that will do the firing??)

Maybe just say all enemy within 2MU of a square are a target, and that any assault against a square cannot be considered to begin from outside their arc of fire.

I have always thought that if a square has a target on two or more sides they are all a target, and the square must divide its shooting dice accordingly.

Saves having to actually move the square.

[terrys]

I'm thinking that Blathergut's suggestion of allowing squares to rotate on the spot before firing is a good one.

This would allow the following:
1) For firing, they would count a single face as their 'firing' direction, with a support area either side of this.
2) They would be able to fire at any enemy charging them from any one direction.
3) They would be able to support friends in the direction of their choice.
4) (main advantage) You can clearly see and measure the direction and effect of their fire.