Difficult forward move

[spikemesq]

Perhaps the <6MU area holds some solutions to the other maneuver problems noted for drilled troops and skirmishers.

Just as Undrilled need CMTs or generals when enemy are close, all troops could have some limits on their move options. For instance, within 6MU of enemy (or maybe enemy non-skirmishers), we could place one or more of the following limits on certain moves (e.g., 90 + advance, expansions, etc.):

- bump certain moves from Simple to Complex
- bump certain moves to Impossible
- require a CMT or general
- impose a CMT modifier
- change the CMT target to 7+ for skirmishers/drilled and 8+ for undrilled or any troops within 6MU of (non-skirmisher?) enemy

Many of the Benny Hill problems might be tempered this way without hampering early-game maneuvers.

[Jilu]

from another post:



This is not quite right. It can do those things without a general, but it must pass a CMT to do so.

I would explain it like this:

There are two kinds of forward move.

"Easy" (not called that in the rules, but I call them that as they are not "Difficult")

"Difficult".

A forward move is "Easy" if any of the following apply:

There is a commander with the BG (or Battle Line), or
The whole move is more than 6 MU from enemy, or
The move is straight ahead a full move.

Any other forward move is "Difficult". This means

No commander with the BG or BL and
Moving within 6 MU of enemy and
Moves less than its maximum move distance, and/or wheels.

In movement table the Advances sections is split into

"Difficult forward move including up to 1 wheel" which is a simple move for most things and a complex move for "undrilled other". This is the only restriction.

"Any other forward move including up to 1 wheel" which is a simple move for everything.

If a forward move includes two wheels it is in the "Double wheel" section of the table and it is makes no difference whether it is difficult or easy.

[Werezak]

Short moves probably should be simple - one trumpet blast for "go", two blasts for "stop".

Yes, it does seem rather silly that undrilled foot can only move in certain increments without a CMT. They can move full for one turn then stop, but can't stop at any other point.

The problem here is that in FoG there are not more adverse effects of failing a CMT than not being able to perform the manouver. If you are marching (and marching in formation requires training: it is not easy to form ranks) and then suddenly you order your troops to stop, taking into account that it is likely that some minor shooting is taking effect, there are sounds everywhere, it might happen that when the unit stops it does not do it evenly, gaps appear, troops get confused, etc. I think the idea is good. The problem is the absence of effects regarding the fact of failing CMT other than doing another manouver.

And that rises one rules question. If you ordered your troops to stop in front of your enemy let's say that 1 MU away from them and you fail your test and your full movement would get you in touch with them, then do you move at all? Did the officers ordered to move and then changed their mind?

I have a suggestion that addresses this, that I have used. It can add a little bit of bookkeeping, but I think it plays better.

Difficult forward moves (where the BG stops short of the full move distance) made by "undrilled other" do not require a CMT to execute. However if you do such a move with undrilled troops, you must make a CMT. If you do not pass, that BG is disordered until the beginning of the maneuver phase of its next turn. You can put a marker to remember.

I think disorder is a fair penalty. It looses 1/3 combat dice, but no penalties to cohesion, and doesn't affect POA except for spearmen.

[philqw78]

I don't think anybody would do it if in charge reach, and all troops can short move when out of charge reach, 5MU