Charging While Already in Close Combat

[stevoid]

I hope this doesn't seem too silly a question, but...

A 3 base or wider BG charges another BG and makes contact - the chargers left-most base contacts the enemy BG's left-most base leaving the chargers with a two+ base overlap on the right.

Everyone is still there after impact combat and melee phase combat.

In the enemy player's manoeuvre phase he brings up some javelinmen (to very very close) to shoot the rightmost bases of the chargers. They were not contactable by the original charge.

Again, everyone is still there after impact combat and melee phase combat.

Now, when charger's next impact phase comes around, can they declare a charge on the 2nd enemy BG by stepping forward to contact with a file that is not fighting as an overlap (or even one that is), assuming they maintain BG integrity and obey the rules for stepping forward, or are they stuck there copping the shooting?

While it seems intuitive that a BG already in combat can't charge, it is also hard to see how some unengaged troops (especially if shock troops) would just stand around. Note that these unengaged troops can't feed into the existing combat as they are pinned and feeding in is not a permitted limited action under the restricted area options.

Cheers,

Steve

[rbodleyscott]

I hope this doesn't seem too silly a question, but...

A 3 base or wider BG charges another BG and makes contact - the chargers left-most base contacts the enemy BG's left-most base leaving the chargers with a two+ base overlap on the right.

Everyone is still there after impact combat and melee phase combat.

In the enemy player's manoeuvre phase he brings up some javelinmen (to very very close) to shoot the rightmost bases of the chargers. They were not contactable by the original charge.

Again, everyone is still there after impact combat and melee phase combat.

Now, when charger's next impact phase comes around, can they declare a charge on the 2nd enemy BG by stepping forward to contact with a file that is not fighting as an overlap (or even one that is), assuming they maintain BG integrity and obey the rules for stepping forward, or are they stuck there copping the shooting?

While it seems intuitive that a BG already in combat can't charge, it is also hard to see how some unengaged troops (especially if shock troops) would just stand around. Note that these unengaged troops can't feed into the existing combat as they are pinned and feeding in is not a permitted limited action under the restricted area options.

Cheers,

Steve

No they cannot charge.

However, feeding more bases into a melee is not "normal movement" and is not affected by the restricted Area rules. (Even if it was, troops are not pinned by skirmishers unless they are themselves skirmishers).

The "normal movement" phrase was added to the restricted area rules specifically to avoid the anomaly you describe.

If it is not clear enough, we can add it to the FAQ.

[stevoid]

I don't think you need a clarification for this one given your explanation, but maybe 'normal movement' could be expressly defined in the glossary.

What useful options do the exposed bases have in this case - only shuffling across as feed-in moves? Let's assume no one is a skirmisher and that the troops wailing on them from very close are bow armed.

Cheers,

Steve

[rbodleyscott]

What useful options do the exposed bases have in this case - only shuffling across as feed-in moves?

Yes