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Skirmisher Evasion

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:00 am
by SimonLancaster
I have asked a few players and we are unsure about skirmisher evasion when a friendly unit is directly behind it.

My initial question was can skirmishers evade diagonally into an open space when a friendly inf unit is directly behind it with another friendly unit behind the inf?

Then we started talking about skirmishers evading through the infantry. Apparently, it depends on whether the infantry is perpendicular to the skirmishers we think.

If someone could clarify it would be good!

Plus I am now thinking about the likelihood of the pursuing enemy inf or cav to chase after the evading skirmishers or engage in melee with the friendly inf because it can pass through the ZoC.

Re: Skirmisher Evasion

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:44 am
by Karvon
While I've never sat down and tested to confirm them, these are my observations based on my experience thus far.

As I recall, evaders can move diagonally. LF can pass through 1 rank of other troops if they are perpendicular.

Pursuers are rather unpredictable in my experience. Their first priority is their initial target, but they can, and do, sometimes shift and charge newly uncovered enemies. This seems very much "feast or famine", as I've had pursuers rush by exposed flanks or disordered/fragmented units haring after elusive lights. OTOH, I've witnessed some pretty spectacular domino charges in which a single unit has smashed through as many as 3 or 4 in a single sweep.

Pursuers can ignore zocs which can result in them passing through a gap in a main line and ending up in the rear. This is often fatal if the enemy has a reserve battle line behind the first one, as it's nearly impossible to extract such impulsive troops.

Re: Skirmisher Evasion

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:52 am
by GeneralKostas
Karvon wrote: Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:44 am While I've never sat down and tested to confirm them, these are my observations based on my experience thus far.

As I recall, evaders can move diagonally. LF can pass through 1 rank of other troops if they are perpendicular.

Pursuers are rather unpredictable in my experience. Their first priority is their initial target, but they can, and do, sometimes shift and charge newly uncovered enemies. This seems very much "feast or famine", as I've had pursuers rush by exposed flanks or disordered/fragmented units haring after elusive lights. OTOH, I've witnessed some pretty spectacular domino charges in which a single unit has smashed through as many as 3 or 4 in a single sweep.

Pursuers can ignore zocs which can result in them passing through a gap in a main line and ending up in the rear. This is often fatal if the enemy has a reserve battle line behind the first one, as it's nearly impossible to extract such impulsive troops.
There must be an end in these domino charges. The pursuer must only pursue. Nothing more.

Re: Skirmisher Evasion

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:11 am
by SimonLancaster
I don't really mind the so-called 'domino charges'. I think they bring some excitement and randomness to the game. It is not like a chess match although some may like it to be perhaps!

Thanks for the info.

Re: Skirmisher Evasion

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 11:59 pm
by Ray552
GeneralKostas wrote: Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:52 am There must be an end in these domino charges. The pursuer must only pursue. Nothing more.
The first thing that popped into my head was a hypothetical scenario:
Macedonian light cavalrymen pursuing fleeing Persian light archer horse around a hill.
As they come around the hill, they are confronted by the sight of Darius's treasure chests, unguarded except for his concubines.
The Persian horse continue fleeing.
I'm pretty sure the Macedonians would change targets :D
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I know, this isn't modeled in FOG2, cut me some slack, Jack.