Rear Support

[iversonjm]

As currently written, the rear support rule allows the 9 stand arab conquest spear/LF bow units (and some other similar defensive spear formations w/ LF bows) to rear support themselves. Intended?

Also, while I understand that this rule was made to balance out the undrilled v. drilled folks, particularly for WBs, it seems to lead to some drill v. undrilled results that seem a little odd to me. For example:

8 stand undrilled hoplite or almughavar unit in 3/3/2 formation is rear supported. Drilled equivalent is not.
4 stand undrilled knight or chariot unit in two ranks is supported. Drilled equivalent is not.
6 stand unit of undrilled cavalry in three ranks of two stands (which now appears to be the ideal formation for charging archers) is supported. Drilled equivalent is not.

Also, there now seems to be a functional difference between drilled and undrilled skirmishers, as the undrilled skirmishers can rear support themselves, while drilled cannot. Seems odd.

Not sure if this rule was intended for skirmishers and mounted, but as written it applies to them.

[rbodleyscott]

As currently written, the rear support rule allows the 9 stand arab conquest spear/LF bow units (and some other similar defensive spear formations w/ LF bows) to rear support themselves. Intended?

Yes

Also, while I understand that this rule was made to balance out the undrilled v. drilled folks, particularly for WBs, it seems to lead to some drill v. undrilled results that seem a little odd to me. For example:

8 stand undrilled hoplite or almughavar unit in 3/3/2 formation is rear supported. Drilled equivalent is not.
4 stand undrilled knight or chariot unit in two ranks is supported. Drilled equivalent is not.
6 stand unit of undrilled cavalry in three ranks of two stands (which now appears to be the ideal formation for charging archers) is supported. Drilled equivalent is not.

We agree, but we did not want to see Drilled routinely used in deep formations.

Also, there now seems to be a functional difference between drilled and undrilled skirmishers, as the undrilled skirmishers can rear support themselves, while drilled cannot. Seems odd.

Not sure if this rule was intended for skirmishers and mounted, but as written it applies to them.

Skirmishers should probably be excluded.