Slitherine

Page 53, #2 says a unit can't wheel more that 90 degrees and the wheel cannot be made if this would result in less bases being eligible to fight in impact than would occur if the BG charged straight ahead. So if a unit charges straight ahead and will contact 1 base it would be allowed to wheel so as long as it contacted 1 or 2 bases up to 90 degrees.

It is possible for a LH unit, that would contact 1 base if charging straight ahead, to wheel to contact 2 bases and could wheel even farther so that it would only contact 1 base again. The rules seem to allow the charger a lot of discretion in determining the amount of wheel up to 90 degrees. Would an umpired game allow the wheel past contact with 2 bases?

Since the move would comply with the restrictions on wheeling in a charge I can see no reason why it wouldn't be allowed.

An umpired game should allow it. bbotus, I think you are perhaps reading things into the rules or the intentions of the rules that are not there.

The biggest effect of this rule is that lines of troops facing each other (say 4 widths of armoured hoplites facing 4 width of Galatians) can't do cheesy wheeling charges to minimise impact.

If you want to cut down the options for the LH plan ahead so that their straight ahead charge would hit 2 bases.

bbotus, I think you are perhaps reading things into the rules or the intentions of the rules that are not there.

My opinion doesn't matter in this case. Our group has a couple of different opinions and I just wanted to see what everyone says on the matter. So are you all saying that the LH can wheel as far as they want as long as they still contact at least one stand?

bbotus wrote: So are you all saying that the LH can wheel as far as they want as long as they still contact at least one stand?

Yes - you've already answered your own question by quoting the rule that applies :

bbotus wrote:Page 53, #2 says the wheel cannot be made if this would result in less bases being eligible to fight in impact than would occur if the BG charged straight ahead.

I can't speak for anyone else but that's certainly what I'm saying.

bbotus wrote:

bbotus, I think you are perhaps reading things into the rules or the intentions of the rules that are not there.

My opinion doesn't matter in this case. Our group has a couple of different opinions and I just wanted to see what everyone says on the matter. So are you all saying that the LH can wheel as far as they want as long as they still contact at least one stand?

Yes, up to 90 degrees

bbotus wrote: So are you all saying that the LH can wheel as far as they want as long as they still contact at least one stand?

In your example yes. But its as long as as many bases are eligible to fight at impact as there would be if they went straight forward. Not quite the same.

So, if looking at hitting 1 base straight forward, you could wheel past contacting 2 bases of hard stuff and hit one base at the end that was an easier target. The enemy also gets the chance to intercept if you wheel close though.

Thank-you, gentlemen. I'll let the group know your answers are unanimous. That should settle the issue.