Slitherine

Looking at the new QRS, I think I am correct in understanding (for the first time) that a cavalry Pass Through is not a pursuit covered by the "May pursue * unless Wavering" or "May not pursue" lines on the table.
A Pass Through is a separate event that happens once you have worked your way to the bottom of the outcome moves table, and find that steady cavalry still in contact with infantry.
This is supported by the rules (p66) where it says "At the end of the combat phase, if Steady Cavalry is in contact ..." [underline added].

My issue is with the 2nd sentance under the Passing Through rules on page 66 - concerning a Pass Through by disordered cavalry - which confuses the matter.

It seems to me that disordered cavalry will never in practice be able to pass through, because they will have already retired under the "Active Player: retires Disordered units in contact" outcome line that comes before the Passing Through segment.

Is this correct?

Cheers
Brett

The Combat Resolution Chart does not actually mention pass through moves at all - and you are correct, it is not a pursuit as no-one is running away. It is 'treated as a pursuit move in all other respects'.

The fact that the rules for a pass through move specifically mention that disordered cavalry have the opportunity to pass through (assuming they pass the CMT) would indicate that this takes precedence over the combat resolution chart.
If the test is failed (or not taken) then the cavalry would retire as normal.

Realistically, this will only happen if the infantry are in square. A square will never retire from cav unless broken, meaning the cav will either pass through or bounce.
If the infantry are not in square, you are talking about a pretty awful handful of combat dice if a cav unit can't at least disorder them,in which case the infantry would retire first.

It seems to me that disordered cavalry will never in practice be able to pass through, because they will have already retired under the "Active Player: retires Disordered units in contact" outcome line that comes before the Passing Through segment.

This is really a carry-over from an earlier version of the rules, and realistically disordered cavalry will never make a pass-through move.
Cavalry were originally permitted to pass through infantry defending an obstacle, but this was changed before the final version of the rules.
The Quick Reference Sheet now refers to 'Steady' cavalry making the pass-through move.

So spent cavalry will still pass through?

So spent cavalry will still pass through?

Yes

Thanks Terry.

Just so I'm clear, is the ruling that disordered cavalry can never pass through?

Just so I'm clear, is the ruling that disordered cavalry can never pass through?

Correct