Table Edges

[richafricanus]

There is a contradiction in the rules re table edges.

Page 64 under "Retires", 2nd last paragraph, left column, it says, "If the path [of the retire] is blocked by enemy troops..., the table edge..., then the retiring unit will move as far as possible halting 1MU away from the obstruction."

Page 65 under "Table Edges" says, "If a unit reaches a table edge, it must stop. If any move distance remains, then the unit will wheel to line up with that edge."

Since the 2nd reference is specifically under "Table Edges", we have assumed this is the correct rule, and that the reference to table edges under "Retires" should be removed.

Is this correct?

[Blathergut]

I would go with the 2nd. It makes no sense to stop a MU from the edge. We have always played you move to the edge. Again, no specific point in rules i can point to.

[Daemionhunter]

Stopping one MU from the table edge does reduce the chance of catching bayonets on your sleeve and knocking bases on the floor!

[adonald]

In contrast to the other answers, if the definition on p 64 refers to the table edge bring practically 1 MU away from the actual physical edge, I don't see a contradictory comment on page 65 - for the purpose of the rules, the table edge is 1 MU from the physical edge for retirement purposes. It's just a game mechanism. We have established the Earth is a globe and the Flat Earth Society is deluded.

Alastair Donald

[richafricanus]

Whether the table edge is the actual edge or 1MU away, the rule on p.64 says you reach that point and stop, while p.65 says you wheel and line up - pretty different.

I'm still inclining to playing the p.65 version until Terry says otherwise.

This is one of those rules that it's a pity the writers didn't just apply the tried and tested solutions from the other FOG systems. Table edges are always a tricky concept in wargames whatever period.

[adonald]

Still can't see the problem. Page 64 is a general statement about how far away a retiring unit must stop. Page 65 is a specific rule applied to table edges, and is IN ADDITION to the rule on page 64.

If you are retiring you must stop 1 MU away from enemy troops, impassable terrain, the table edge, or friends it cannot burst through. Additionally, if it's the table edge (actually 1MU away from the physical edge of the table), and any move distance remains, then the unit will wheel to line up with that edge. If there isn't sufficient move distance to make the wheel, the unit doesn't wheel.

Can't see the problem.

Alastair

[BrettPT]

Hi Al
Putting my oar in:

p64 - if retire is blocked by table edge, stop 1MU short of obstruction (the obstruction in this case being the table edge). Therefore the table edge is the actual end of the 15mm flat earth. Beyond there be dragons, and paint chips. You stop 1MU short of this precipice when retiring.

I can't agree that you can imply from p64/5 that the table practically ends 1MU short of the cliff. P64 simply states that you stop your retirement 1MU short of the actual table edge.

P64 makes p65 (stop at the edge) contradictory. The issue becomes serious when considering the rule that says troops starting a retirement while touching the table edge are removed (haven't got my rules in front of me, but I think they say this somewhere), or when you need that extra 1MU to outdistance pursuers.

What we've always played is that the reference to table edge is dropped from p64, leaving the p65 rule - stop at the actual edge. I seem to remember posting on this ages ago and Terry agreed this was the intention (buggered if I can find the post however). Hasn't made it to the errata though...

Oar out now.
Brett

[adonald]

I can't agree that you can imply from p64/5 that the table practically ends 1MU short of the cliff. P64 simply states that you stop your retirement 1MU short of the actual table edge.

Was I saying that? I think I was saying that for retirements, you move to 1MU from the table edge, and then wheel if yu can to alighn yourself with the table edge. Page 64 may be a contradictory problem for a pedant, but what's to stop a player retiring their unit to 1MU from the physical edge, and if any movement is stil available, aligning them to the edge. If you get caught - so be it. Hard cheese, old man. If that's a little disconcerting that you could have squeezed another 1MU out of the retirement move - get over it. Pg 65 is not so specifically contradictory in that you can't use p64.

Like much of the rules, it could have been worded more effectively. But it's not the worst problem.

The shooting at medium range artillery from occupied buldings when there is an associated infantry unit IS a major problem - for example.

Alastair