Reference sheet errata?

[Strategiser]

Dear Commanders,

I was just browsing through the newly updated (downloadable) reference sheets and noticed on the first page what I think is possibly an error:

In the "Simple & Complex Moves" table, under the 'Movement Phase Only', the Pivot line for 'Over 2MU from enemy' states N/A for both Steady/Disordered and Wavering. I think this should be Simple and Complex respectively. Am i right?

Are there any other errors/typos in the new reference sheet that I should know of?

Many thanks!

[deadtorius]

Pivot is only for extended line and artillery and is meant to allow you to try and face your enemy if they are close, so not allowed unless the enemy is right up in their face. At other ranges the unit would have to wheel or prolong to change facing to the enemy.

[Strategiser]

Pivot is only for extended line and artillery and is meant to allow you to try and face your enemy if they are close, so not allowed unless the enemy is right up in their face. At other ranges the unit would have to wheel or prolong to change facing to the enemy.

But this is not what the official errata says, I am afraid. Please see page 2 of the latest official errata document, which states "Page 45: MOVEMENT PHASE ONLY Table:
4th line: “A change of formation .....” Insert ”Pivot or” before change.". The table clearly then shows that pivoting whilst more than 2MU away from the enemy is a Simple Move for Steady/Disordered and Complex for Wavering.

Any thoughts? Is this a mistake??

[deadtorius]

pivot is the only way you can turn artillery and units in extended line, they cant use change of formation to change facing to face an enemy.

[Strategiser]

Yes that line in the reference sheet exists under the Movement Phase Only, Within 2MU of Enemy.

However, my question is about the "Pivot" line under "Over 2MU of Enemy" (not Within!). The current reference sheet (released with the latest official errata) states N/A both for Steady/Disordered and Wavering. This does NOT correspond with the previous reference sheet, nor with the book rules and the latest errata document (see my comment above), where it says that the line should be as follows:

Over 2MU from Enemy -->> A Pivot or Change of formation --> Simple under Steady/Disordered --> Complex under Wavering.

Instead, the current reference sheet mistakenly (I think) shows the following:

Over 2MU from Enemy --> Pivot --> N/A under Steady/Disordered --> N/A under Wavering.

[Blathergut]

Actually, this does correspond with the previous (14.02) reference sheet still available on the site. Pivot was NA for both as well on that one. It doesn't appear in the rule book as it was a move that was added in after publication.

Pivot is for close range. Otherwise, artillery prolongs forwards or back. There are several conflicts between rule book and QRS. The QRS should be considered the more-likely-to-be-correct.

[Strategiser]

I understand that the Pivot was added later, HOWEVER, in that case why does the latest errata text (page 2) still say to insert the word 'Pivot or' before a 'change of formation' for the movement phase only table? Effectively, the errata text itself (in addition to the rules and tables) do not correspond with the errata table!

Another error I just found re the Movement Phase Only table is the 'Skirmishers moving 1/2 distance in any direction if over 2MU from enemy'. The errata table shows this to be a Complex move if the unit is Wavering; however, the rules and the table in the rulebook shows this to be a Simple move in any case (i.e. whether Steady, Disordered, or Wavering!).

To be honest, I find these inconsistencies rather annoying (especially in light of the recent errata release - which still doesn't seem to make them fully consistent). How do you resolve these?

Could you please clarify my two errors/inconsistencies explained above?

Many thanks!

[Blathergut]

You would need Terry to clarify I suppose. The rest of us try to answer questions as best we can, out of enjoyment of this game. I can't really state/explain why the errata text differs. I would suspect it is an earlier version that was changed but not edited out. As I said, I would go with the latest QRS as most up-to-date. But that's just my opinion.

[Strategiser]

Many thanks indeed! I do appreciate your feedback and help!

(Just in case it was not already clear), my annoyance was certainly not targeted at gamers or even the designers as I love the game! It's just that it is frustrating to see such inconsistencies, especially when I am a beginner in FOG:N (not in wargames though!) and am trying to convince my gaming group to shift to this game (effectively, I am going to be the rules arbiter in our games - thus such rules inconsistencies do not make my life any easier! ).

How can I reach Terry for such clarifications? Should I PM him or is posting here usually sufficient?

Thanks again for your assistance! Much appreciated!

[Blathergut]

I suppose I would post here. But I don't know if it's okay or more likely to get a response if you pm Terry.

Once you get people playing the game I think you will all find you enjoy it. Deadtorius and I have been playing it non-stop since publication and still enjoy each game we play.

[terrys]

I understand that the Pivot was added later, HOWEVER, in that case why does the latest errata text (page 2) still say to insert the word 'Pivot or' before a 'change of formation' for the movement phase only table? Effectively, the errata text itself (in addition to the rules and tables) do not correspond with the errata table!

The problem with 'Pivot' is that the entry "Turn or wheel directly face enemy within 2MU" should be restricted to infantry and cavalry units only (except infantry in extended line).
It was introduced to remove the situation where a unit approached to within 2MU of an artillery unit (or infantry in extended line) from the flank, only to find that the enemy passed a CMT and was immediately turned to face that unit - and blow it away at close range. In allowing the artillery to now 'pivot' rather than 'turn' we stop this happening except where the enemy is only a little out of it's initial arc of fire.
We don't allow an artillery unit to pivot when outside of 2MU because a 'Wheel' should be good enough to stop the artillery being assaulted in the flank (and therefore permit defensive fire during the following assault phase). It gets progressively less useful as the width of the pivoting unit gets wider.

Another error I just found re the Movement Phase Only table is the 'Skirmishers moving 1/2 distance in any direction if over 2MU from enemy'. The errata table shows this to be a Complex move if the unit is Wavering; however, the rules and the table in the rulebook shows this to be a Simple move in any case (i.e. whether Steady, Disordered, or Wavering!).

Always use the Updated QRS in place of the one in the rulebook. With the restrictions on space it's become too difficult to continue adding updates to the Tables in the book.

[Strategiser]

Thanks Terry. Appreciated.

However, I am still confused as to what should the correct entry be in the QRS. Could you please answer/clarify my numbered questions below? All entries refer to the Movement Phase Only table in the Simple & Complex Move section.

1. Within 2 MU of enemy --> Turn or wheel to directly face an enemy unit within 2MU --> this should now have an additional wording "only if cavalry and infantry not in extended line". Correct?

2. Over 2MU of enemy --> Pivot --> this is currently at N/A for both Steady/Disordered and Wavering. I understand that this is only applicable to Artillery (i.e. artillery cannot pivot!). How about infantry and cavalry? Can they pivot or change facing when over 2MU of enemy? According to the reference sheet in the book and the errata text, they can! It's a Simple and Complex for Wavering test.

Thanks again in advance!

[terrys]

1. Within 2 MU of enemy --> Turn or wheel to directly face an enemy unit within 2MU --> this should now have an additional wording "only if cavalry and infantry not in extended line". Correct?

Correct

2. Over 2MU of enemy --> Pivot --> this is currently at N/A for both Steady/Disordered and Wavering. I understand that this is only applicable to Artillery (i.e. artillery cannot pivot!). How about infantry and cavalry? Can they pivot or change facing when over 2MU of enemy? According to the reference sheet in the book and the errata text, they can! It's a Simple and Complex for Wavering test.

A Pivot is only allowed for unlimbered artillery and infantry in extended line - and only if they are within 2MU of an enemy unit.
A pivot is not allowed at all if there isn't an enemy unit within 2MU. if over 2MU from the enemy you should either wheel (or prolong) forwards or backwards.

[Strategiser]

Many thanks. All clear now!

I think the source of this confusion is the new wording in the latest (and indeed the previous too) errata document, where on page 2 it says to add "Pivot or" before "change of formation...". I think this should be removed to be in line with your description and explanation above.

Thanks again for your help and clarifications! Great game!