Slitherine

Can a three wide BG of pikemen form orb when in the restricted area of enemy (HI as it happens)?

Paul

Can a three wide BG of pikemen form orb when in the restricted area of enemy (HI as it happens)?

Yes - they end up 2 wide with 3 ranks facing forwards and 3 facing backwards. The centre of the front rank remains in the same location as before. (i.e. it contracts by 'half' a file on each side)

OK, I should have elaborated. There is a restriction on contracting in the restriced area rules (I don't have the rules with me), hence the question.

Paul

To be even more sprecific: it is not permited to contract in the restricted area. Does reducing frontage to form orb constitute a contraction?

The prettiest solution would be to state that forming orb is not a contraction. Otherwise, some groups could form it and some couldn't. If the one BG in orb is meant to represent several units forming several orbs this would be a bad restriction.

On the other hand, orb is a rather ugly game mechanic. Anything that restricts its use would be welcome

I realise Terry's answer might well stand but I wondered if we could get that confirmed or otherwise in light of Roger's comments?

Paul

A nice specific one we will need to FAQ

Observations would be....

Contraction is specifically defined in movement as a section
Converting into orb is exactly that - neither contraction nor expansion
You are allowed to stay in place in a restricted area and you can expand or turn

Thus we haven't actually said either way as we say and could sepcify it either way. We'll bounce it around as authors and go back to our intent and report back.

Si

In the description of orb formation it says "The normal rules for a stationary contraction are used, ..." so the link to contractions is there. I'm not saying I think that is conclusive. It is one of those that it would just be good if everyone knows where they stand and it sounds like you have that in hand. I'll watch this space.

Paul