Slitherine

Can a unit that is fighting only in overlap voluntarily break off if the unit that it is overlapping meets the requisite criteria? If I recall the rule says that breakoffs are triggered by "opponents" but it is not clear that a unit that is fighting only in overlap has one of those.

Although the circumstances on p.138 detailing when break offs occur doesn't cover overlaps, on p69 there is a comprehensive list of circumstances when units in overlap can move from an overlap position. In this section it doesn't say they can move away from overlap via a break off and on the basis that the rules generally tell you what you can do, I would rule that units fighting only in overlap cannot break off. After all if the unit fighting breaks off, there is no overlap!

In addition not allowing such break offs does seem the right thing to do!

Don

The last option listed on page 69 is "or continue to fight against its existing opponent in the next melee phase". Since this qualifies the BG it is fighting against as its "opponent", this should qualify it to break off from its opponent as described on page 138 if it meets the conditions listed there, e.g. it is fragmented mounted troops and the opponent it is fighting against in overlap is steady foot.

Chris

Having now read pages 69 and 138, I've come to the opposite conclusion to Chris. I don't think P69 is relevant as it details the circumstances in which an overlapping BG can move away in the Impact or Manoeuvre phases.

What I think is relevant are the conditions on P138 applying to break-offs that, regardless of the state of the overlapping BG, define the close combat opponents from which they may break off and specify that "In each case count only enemy front rank bases in contact other than only as an overlap" (my emphasis).

Since a BG fighting only as an overlap has no bases "in contact other than only as an overlap" there are no opponents from whom it may break off.

I think he's got you there Chris.

(Told you so )