Autobreak and Fighting general questions.

[Petronius]

I have two queries resulting from a Principate Roman V Dacian battle last night.

His Roman Auxiliary Cavalry (2x2) Armoured, L Spear, sword, with a front rank fighting general, charged my Bastarnie Cavalry (2x2) Superior, Protected, L spear, sword. I won the impact 3 – 2, he passed cohesion but lost a base. The melee was a draw.
I had set a bit of a trap because I had two BG of LH armed with Light spear in range. In my turn they both passed cohesion to charge his flanks from either side, enclosing the Roman horse in a topless box. I seemed to remember that he was not obliged to turn bases to face a flank attacks and he elected to keep his three bases facing forward where they still enjoyed a POA +. The decision paid off for him because he survived the unopposed impact attacks and in the melee this time my cavalry lost 3 – 2, passed cohesion but lost a base. Both of the unopposed flank attacks scored single hits so he lost the overall melee and another base which caused an autobreak. He did a nominal rout in the only available direction to await removal in the JAP.

Questions.
1. I was unsure whether I was obliged to pursue (as realistically there was nothing to catch).
2. What should have happened with his front rank general?

3. What is the position when a new attack makes contact with a displaced front rank base (not really there)?

The battle continues next week and I have foolishly left my rule book at the venue.

[philqw78]

Firstly I don't think your LH needed to CMT to charge in flank.

1. You must pursue the initial rout in this case. Autobroken units are removed at the end of the JAP so there is still something there. However, if all your units keep up you will not have to pursue in the JAP 'cos he will disappear.

2. You test to kill him during the melee, at an 11 or 12, then for each unit keeping up with him in rout test on 10, 11, 12. So you have the potential of three goes to kill him.

3. Don't understand the last Q

[dave_r]

I seemed to remember that he was not obliged to turn bases to face a flank attacks

Then you remembered incorrectly - it is compulsory to turn to face. This would mean the Roman player gets 2 dice against one dice in each impact, but is at double minus.

This would also mean that the Roman suffered from the fighting in two directions bit during the ongoing melee phase.

[BrianC]

I seemed to remember that he was not obliged to turn bases to face a flank attacks

Then you remembered incorrectly - it is compulsory to turn to face. This would mean the Roman player gets 2 dice against one dice in each impact, but is at double minus.

This would also mean that the Roman suffered from the fighting in two directions bit during the ongoing melee phase.

You might be thinking of the rule where you don't turn to face the flank or rear charge if the base is already in melee. In that case there is no turn.

Brian

[BrianC]

Regarding question 3, I don't think you can attack it because in reality its in the front. But it raises an interesting question, what do you do in that case? When things get tight like that, a commanders 40 x 40 base is pretty huge. In our games we move the generals base as needed. We move it only enough to get it out of the way.

Brian

[Petronius]

Thank you for the help.

If I understand correctly, the resolution ought to have been that his single rear rank base turns to face the flank attack on that side leaving two bases fighting forward.

I only charged with both LH because I thought one might fail and the sole reason for charging his flanks at all was to cause the fighting in two directions factor and negate his armour advantage.

[rbodleyscott]

then for each unit keeping up with him in rout test on 10, 11, 12.

No, you only roll once if Pursuers keep up with him, no matter how many BGs remain in contact. (2nd bullet, P.109).

[philqw78]

(2nd bullet, P.109).

(killing generals)
Very sorry. my bad. Lesson being don't quote rules at work.

[rogerg]

One point, from memory, I recall that you always turn at least one base to fight a flank charge even if the only option is to turn one in combat. The option not to turn is in the special situation of edge contact non-overlappers turning to fight in the manouvre phase.

[lawrenceg]

3. What is the position when a new attack makes contact with a displaced front rank base (not really there)?

The battle continues next week and I have foolishly left my rule book at the venue.

A displaced base is treated as if in its undisplaced position (i.e. where it is in reality). If in the end there is physical interference, return it to its undisplaced position and move the commander, or replace him with a marker on a front rank base.