Retire to 3MU...but if friendly behind??

[Blathergut]

If a unit (does it matter what type?) gets a 'retire to 3MU if closer' but there is a friendly unit behind, closer than 3MU, what happens?

a) Friendly is pushed back and retire to 3MU unit moves to 3MU away?
b) Retire to 3MU unit can't so stays in place? [This doesn't seem right. I could always set up so my front units will never have to retire to 3MU.]
c) Friendly unit behind is considered burst through but retire to 3MU unit doesn't retire all the way?
d) Other??

[terrys]

Generally treat it as a 3MU 'normal' move.
It passes through another unit if it would pass at least half way though (and there is room beyond), or goes as far as possible if not.
The blocking unit does not have to test, since this is not an outcome move.
i.e. a move made as a result of consulting the 'Outcome move' table which involves rolling a D6 to see how far it goes.

A unit does NOT retire to 3MU is it is defending a building.

[BrettPT]

Hi Terry
You should note your post above for future errata. It's far from clear in the rules and we had some confusion with this at Battlecry. Also should be made specific that the 3mu retirement is from all enemy, not just the shooters.

[Blathergut]

Re: Amendment - Blocked Retirements
Postby terrys » 11 Jul 2013 18:21

1. Problem
There is a contradiction on pages 64 and 65 regarding when a retirement is blocked. On page 64, you stop 1MU short of blocking troops, terrain or the table edge. However on page 65, a 'unit that reaches the table edge must stop'. I also note that enemy artillery and skirmishers do not block a retirement - and when burst through they do not have to take a CT (page 64).


I should clarify the requirements for taking a test when a firend passes through.
1) A unit bursting through another friendly unit causes the unit burst through to take a test. This can only happen during either an evade move or an impetuous charge move. Artillery and infantry in skirmish formation do not have to test when an impetuous unit bursts through them - but will take a test when a unit evades through them (an evade is an outcome move).
2) ALL units passed through by another friendly unit which retires as part of an OUTCOME MOVE must take a cohesion test (even artillery and skirmishers).
3) A unit retiring to 3MU from shooting is NOT making an outcome move, so does not cause a test on artillery and skirmishing infantry - it does cause a test on others.
4) A routing unit moving in the players own movement phase NEVER passes through another unit - even artillery and skirmishers. It moves as far as possible and halts.

This reply from earlier would suggest in (3) that a test is caused.

So if I position carefully, I can block 3MU retires without threat of CTs?

[terrys]

So if I position carefully, I can block 3MU retires without threat of CT's?

You could - However, if the unit is falling back because it's wavering, that could leave it still within close range for shooting.
I guess it doesn't matter how we write in the rules, players will always try to find some way to exploit them.

[Blathergut]

Oh, for sure! Just was wondering about it. Beat on Dead.'s Russians yesterday and it came up at one point and we weren't quite sure how to handle it. (I wanted the Russian artillery to retire 3MU so it couldn't shoot some wavering Swiss and break them!!!!

[KeefM]

So ... how are those Swiss going then ? "Wavering" doesn't sound good !

[Blathergut]

They fired first...drove the large arty back beyond close range...moved back...recovered with a charismatic exceptional CC rerolling failed tests.