Disorder and intercepting

[rogerg]

A BG cannot intercept through terriain that disorders it. We had a situation where the front ranks of a BG were clear of disordering terrain, but not the rear ranks. Can it intercept into the zone of interception that is clear?

[hammy]

A BG cannot intercept through terriain that disorders it. We had a situation where the front ranks of a BG were clear of disordering terrain, but not the rear ranks. Can it intercept into the zone of interception that is clear?

I had a similar situation the other week and the way I read the rules was that the interception zone could not cross dissordering terrain and that as the interception zone is in front of the BG then where the back of the BG was didn't matter. It makes reasonable sense if you remember that the base depths are rather too large anyway.

[Ghaznavid]

The problem with that interpretation is that it can easily lead to a situation where you can intercept further then you can move/attack.

[hammy]

The problem with that interpretation is that it can easily lead to a situation where you can intercept further then you can move/attack.

True but it is I believe what the rules actually say

[petedalby]

Can it intercept into the zone of interception that is clear?

I believe so Roger.

Pete

[shall]

Yes it can.

I don't have my rules handy but from memory evrything above is a bit of a paraphase. I think the rules actually say something like the ZOI is 2/4 MU directly to the front and only through terrain that does not affect it, or something close to that.

So the terrain shrinks the ZOI within which you can intercept - so HF with a forest 1MU ahead only have a 1 MU intercept ZOI.

Its near the beginning of the interception section if anyone fancies taking a look.

Si

[Ghaznavid]

Given that the interception rule seem to overrule normal movement/charge distance rules, that does raises the question do intercepting troops ignore movement penalties from terrain they are (partially) in?

Lets take an extreme example. A BG of 6 cataphracts 3 wide 2 deep is mostly in a wood, just the first half of their front rank is in the open. According to the Interception rules I could now move them up to 4 MU forward to intercept enemy chargers (handy as it greatly speeds clearing the wood).
On the other hand, their permitted move distance is currently only 1 MU, which does not even suffice to clear the wood.
So can they intercept 1 MU or 4 MU?

[hammy]

Given that the interception rule seem to overrule normal movement/charge distance rules, that does raises the question do intercepting troops ignore movement penalties from terrain they are (partially) in?

Lets take an extreme example. A BG of 6 cataphracts 3 wide 2 deep is mostly in a wood, just the first half of their front rank is in the open. According to the Interception rules I could now move them up to 4 MU forward to intercept enemy chargers (handy as it greatly speeds clearing the wood).
On the other hand, their permitted move distance is currently only 1 MU, which does not even suffice to clear the wood.
So can they intercept 1 MU or 4 MU?

I believe that the strict interpretation of the rules is that they move 4MU in an interception charge.

Actually managing to get said cataphracts into this possition in the first place and then arranging for your opponent to charge through your interception zone may prove a touch difficult to arange.

[Ghaznavid]

I believe that the strict interpretation of the rules is that they move 4MU in an interception charge.

Actually managing to get said cataphracts into this possition in the first place and then arranging for your opponent to charge through your interception zone may prove a touch difficult to arange.

As stated it's an extreme example, less extreme versions are rather likely to crop up every now and then however. Like Knights just with a toe in uneven after expanding or Cv partially in rough, etc.

Oh and I agree with you. If reading the rules strictly, that is probably what they say. I don't think however it's in the spirit of the rules.

[hammy]

I believe that the strict interpretation of the rules is that they move 4MU in an interception charge.

Actually managing to get said cataphracts into this possition in the first place and then arranging for your opponent to charge through your interception zone may prove a touch difficult to arange.

As stated it's an extreme example, less extreme versions are rather likely to crop up every now and then however. Like Knights just with a toe in uneven after expanding or Cv partially in rough, etc.

Oh and I agree with you. If reading the rules strictly, that is probably what they say. I don't think however it's in the spirit of the rules.

Agreed, I think that the 'spirit' should be that you can intercept as long as the ZOI is entirely in non dissordering terrain but that the maximum extent of your ZOI should be equal to your maximum move.

[nikgaukroger]

Agreed, I think that the 'spirit' should be that you can intercept as long as the ZOI is entirely in non dissordering terrain but that the maximum extent of your ZOI should be equal to your maximum move.

As the interception mechanism is at least partly there to break the IGO-UGO artificial alternate moves I would not be so sure about that view of the spirit of the rules.

[shall]

2 Base depth of cataphacts is in reality about 10mm deep in total. So in this case I prefer to work of where the front of the BG is rather than anything else on the basis that enough of the BG is free to try to get in the way. Hence as it is.

Of course you could try to do ths for everything but it is a nightmare given physical figures. All our BGs are miuch too deep relative to reality.

Si

[Ghaznavid]

2 Base depth of cataphacts is in reality about 10mm deep in total. So in this case I prefer to work of where the front of the BG is rather than anything else on the basis that enough of the BG is free to try to get in the way. Hence as it is.

As you mentioned arguing that way opens a can of worms. If that's the thinking, why then does it apply only to intercepts? Using your argument terrain should generally cease slowing a BG down, once the front rank has cleared it, if not earlier.

[SirGarnet]

The rules say the ZOI does not extend through disordering terrain.

[Ghaznavid]

The rules say the ZOI does not extend through disordering terrain.

Yes, but if the front of the BG is already out of the terrain you only have open to the front, hence the ZOI does not touch disordering Terrain.

[nikgaukroger]

And thus the cycle is complete - rinse and repeat

[shall]

2 Base depth of cataphacts is in reality about 10mm deep in total. So in this case I prefer to work of where the front of the BG is rather than anything else on the basis that enough of the BG is free to try to get in the way. Hence as it is.

As you mentioned arguing that way opens a can of worms. If that's the thinking, why then does it apply only to intercepts? Using your argument terrain should generally cease slowing a BG down, once the front rank has cleared it, if not earlier.

Rather than open a complete can of worms we just selectively took a couple of worms out where it matters most. Just a pragmatic simplicity decision that is Ok IMHO.

Si

[SirGarnet]

It works - will take terrain, effort, skill and maybe a cooperative enemy to get into a position to make intercepting from disordering terrain useful.