Page 1 of 1

Complex Step Forward

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:14 am
by hughdc
Hi

This was a rather complex situation which I will try to describe.

I had flank attacked but by conforming left a flank open, however I moved a unit to cover this (or so I thought). My opponenet declared a charge on my covering unit with four elements two of which contacted, one along side the elements contacting could not step forward as it could contact none of my units but the 4th could step forward to hit my flank. Was this a valid step forward given the element that could not contact anything was between the two contacts?

We played that he could contact but we now had to align elements. The element contacting my flank had only abou 10% of its base in contact and the elements in contact with my covering unit 90% there was room for my opponent to move side ways to confrom but in doing so he would have lost contact with my flanked unit, we played that he stayed in position and did not conform.

Perhaps all was correct but it didnt feel right - well not from my completley unbiased point of view.

Any thoughts

Hugh

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 4:21 pm
by grahambriggs
If I'm understanding correctly I believe that is valid. Only files that would contact enemy need to step forward. The step forward rules do have some limitations; for example you can't create a gap in your unit by doing so.

So, consider a 4 base (AAAA) unit of knights facing up the page. BBBB is an enemy HF BG in a 2x2 formation facing down the page. CC is another enemy 2x2 HF facing (unfortunately for them) up the page - oh dear!. The "S" markers are element wide gaps across the page, but only aa HF base depth deep in the vertical page direction.

SSSCC
BBSCC
BBSSS

AAAA


AAAA declares a lovely straight charge So you shove the bases forward into contact with BB thus:

SSSCC
BBSCC
BBSSS
AAAA

Then you chech for step forward. The two bases touching BB don't because they are fighting. The third from left A base is only facing fresh air so can't step forward. The fourth from left base A has enemy to the front within 2MU and, since the gap between them is only a HF base width, it will remain in partial side edge to side edge contact with the third A base . So it can, and must, stpe forward into C as follows:

SSSCC
BBSCC
BBSAS
AAA <----little bit of edge overlap.

SMACK!!!

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 6:07 am
by zoltan
The morale of the story: you only step forward those bases that will actually contact the enemy. All such bases must step forward.

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 6:53 am
by petedalby
The morale of the story: you only step forward those bases that will actually contact the enemy. All such bases must step forward.
And conversely, a base can not step forward, unless it will end in contact an enemy base. Page 59 - left hand column - last bullet.

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 7:52 am
by zoltan
petedalby wrote:
The morale of the story: you only step forward those bases that will actually contact the enemy. All such bases must step forward.
And conversely, a base can not step forward, unless it will end in contact an enemy base. Page 59 - left hand column - last bullet.
So if two of my bases can step forward to contact one of your bases, they both step forward but only one fights you?

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:01 am
by grahambriggs
zoltan wrote:
petedalby wrote:
The morale of the story: you only step forward those bases that will actually contact the enemy. All such bases must step forward.
And conversely, a base can not step forward, unless it will end in contact an enemy base. Page 59 - left hand column - last bullet.
So if two of my bases can step forward to contact one of your bases, they both step forward but only one fights you?
Both must step forwards. You then fight with equal numbers of bases; the player with more bases in contact choosing which of theirs will not fight.

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 11:19 am
by davidandlynda
Don't have my rules with me but I vaguely recall something about not having to conform if it puts the battle group in a position like exposing a flank
David

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 4:32 pm
by hazelbark
davidandlynda wrote:Don't have my rules with me but I vaguely recall something about not having to conform if it puts the battle group in a position like exposing a flank
David
correct

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:01 pm
by philqw78
Depends who charged IIRC

Re: Complex Step Forward

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:55 pm
by petedalby
Depends who charged IIRC
Page 77 - right hand column - last bullet. Applies only if the BG didn't charge.

Can't see how that applies in this example though?

Looks to me like the original example was played correctly in all respects.