Slitherine

I'm sure I've overlooked it -- what is the definition of "impact foot"? I'm sure it would include Offensive Spearmen and Pikemen and Phalanxes. The example in the main FoG book shows that it can include even Swordsmen. Who is included, who is not? Thanks very much.

see pages 16 & 17 of the rulebook. Impact foot is a "capability" used in the impact phase just as sworsmen is used in the melee phase. Perhaps you mean who are "shock troops" - see page 18

You need to look at the army list books for specific cases, but you won't find any troops with Offensive Spear, or Defensive Spear, or Pike, or Heavy Weapons capability who also have Impact Foot. The most common combination, widely found in hairy barbarians, is Impact Foot + Swordsman. Then there is the killer combo of Impact Foot + Skilled Swordsman, characterising Roman legionaries from the Republic to the Principate. Maybe ~too~ much, some think.

Impact foot usually means the troops have some kind of missile weapon to toss just before they close, or were particularly frightening in their charges. Early Galatians are superior impact foot, later become average impact foot since they seem to have lost some of that fearsome charge reputation over time. Impact foot are also shock troops, which includes your offensive spear, pikes, mounted with lancer capability.

Impact foot counts during the impact phase and then during melee they will fight with their other weapon which is a sword, so look for sword or skilled sword for melee POA's

Page 58 goes through the whole shock troops who might charge without orders if that is what is confusing you.

I thank all three of you for improving my understanding of Impact and also of Shock.