Page 3 of 3
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:48 am
by rogerg
The problems people have with this rule on contact is, as already mentioned, that previous rule systems were all based on looking at individual bases in contact. Once that mental hangover is broken, there is no issue to deal with. It is clear in the rules that the combat counts as as a frontal contact. The thinking is not about which particular bases are in contact, it is about how many bases are in contact. If three bases of each side contact, then the number of dice is worked out as if three bases had contacted frontally.
Thankfully, there are absolutely no differences in making this type of contact to going in straight ahead. If there were advantages, we would all be playing about trying to engineer these edge hitting charges. This would be detrimental to the game.
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:31 am
by ShrubMiK
There is a difference though. More dice get rolled, which is likely to make the combat bloodier and one or other of the BGs will likely lose quicker than would have been the case with the purely frontal charge. That may sometimes be an advantage or disadvantage for either player depending on overall battle situation. (e.g. the game clock is on its last few ticks, you need to fragment one more enemy BG for a decisive victory. the angled charge gives you slightly more chance of achieving this.)
Not saying that's likely to be a common occurrence - but the true "no difference" would be to treat it as truly no different to the frontal attack. No extra dice to either side in impact. Do not step forward into contact with the flanks of the target BG if also contacting it frontally or on front corner (unless this is as a result of stepping forward to also hit another BG). Conform to front and fight with overlap in melee.
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:52 am
by gozerius
My thoughts exactly. The current interp treats the BG contacted on the side as if it has another file of troops. This actually punishes the angled charger when you throw in support shooting. On the other hand, looking at a typical charge, there is often an extra front rank base that does not get contacted, so maybe it's a wash. Sorry for wasting all those electrons.