Lancers and streams

[pompeytheflatulent]

If a unit of lancers is standing in open terrain behind a stream, and gets charged by something standing in the stream, do the lancers keep their open terrain PoA?

[melm]

I don't think so. Lancers should have lost their lancer POA.

[rbodleyscott]

If a unit of lancers is standing in open terrain behind a stream, and gets charged by something standing in the stream, do the lancers keep their open terrain PoA?

No. A combat does not count as "in open terrain" if either of the two units is in non-open terrain. (Manual 17.4) Even a small stream is non-open terrain. (Manual 17.1) Small streams are Non-Open. Large streams are Rough, Deep streams are Difficult, all count as Non-Open.

Note that this is equally relevant to Pikes, Heavy Chariots, Scythed Chariots and any mounted fighting light foot, bowmen or mob.

[pompeytheflatulent]

So a unit of light spear cav charging across a small stream at lancers behind the stream would actually have PoA advantage on impact?

[rbodleyscott]

So a unit of light spear cav charging across a small stream at lancers behind the stream would actually have PoA advantage on impact?

Yes, because their impact POA comes from throwing spears rather than a fierce lance charge.

[pompeytheflatulent]

Thanks, it would appear that I have been leaving my lancers and chariots in all sorts of bad places and somehow getting away with it through sheer luck.

[nyczar]

If a unit of lancers is standing in open terrain behind a stream, and gets charged by something standing in the stream, do the lancers keep their open terrain PoA?

No. A combat does not count as "in open terrain" if either of the two units is in non-open terrain. (Manual 17.4) Even a small stream is non-open terrain. (Manual 17.1) Small streams are Non-Open. Large streams are Rough, Deep streams are Difficult, all count as Non-Open.

Note that this is equally relevant to Pikes, Heavy Chariots, Scythed Chariots and any mounted fighting light foot, bowmen or mob.

Thank you for the clarification. I seem to have been playing under the assumption that it was like a med unit in rough attacking a heavy unit in the open. Or perhaps it is best described as my lazy thinking. That is, there is a difference between terrain that impacts a units order and those that impact a units allocated POA. Another reason why I scratch my my head in wonder at another 40-15 wallop when I play those that actually read and process everything.