Page 1 of 1

Archers in 2nd rank shooting ?

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:51 am
by Keith
Yet another question , sorry.
I think I have most of the rules down now.

If I have a BG of archers behind a BG of legionaries forming a battle line, can the archers shoot ?
I know the shooting talks about 2nd rank shooting , but that is if the front rank is shooting ?

Also , there is no stand and shoot reaction to a charge ?

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:44 am
by nikgaukroger
The only time a separate BG can shoot over another is when allowed to do so by the overhead shooting rules.

There is no Stand and Shoot charge reaction as such, just the extra dice that Bow/Crossbow/etc. BGs get in the impact phase when charged.

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:05 am
by rbodleyscott
nikgaukroger wrote:The only time a separate BG can shoot over another is when allowed to do so by the overhead shooting rules.
i.e When the one behind is up a hill.

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:30 am
by hammy
The second rank of a BG can shoot not the BG in the second rank of a battle line.

Archers in an all archer BG can shoot with two ranks (the second rank may shoot at a lesser effect depending on range and type of archer)
Archers in a mixed BG can shoot from the second rank at full effect regardles of the troop type in the front rank e.g.
* Burgundian mixed pike and longbow are front rank defensive spearmen, rear rank longbow
* Scandinavian levy are front rank heavy weapon, rear rank crossbow
* Some Byzantine cavalry will be front rank lancer, rear rank archers

You cannot have a BG of archers behind a BG of melee troops shooting overhead unless they ae shooting from a hill.

When a BG with archers in the second (or third some cases) rank is charged then it will get extra dice at impact to represent the shooting during the charge.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:02 pm
by PELAGIUS
hammy wrote:The second rank of a BG can shoot not the BG in the second rank of a battle line.

When a BG with archers in the second (or third some cases) rank is charged then it will get extra dice at impact to represent the shooting during the charge.
*Hallo hammy

*I have only had the rules for two days so have been scouring them for this. Does this represent units with integral archer support such as later Roman, Byzantine, Dailamite, Umayyad etc foot formations with one or two (front) ranks of melee troops? If so then excellent as they have to remain with the "parent" unit.

*Yours disgracefully

*Pelagius

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:14 pm
by hammy
PELAGIUS wrote:
hammy wrote:The second rank of a BG can shoot not the BG in the second rank of a battle line.

When a BG with archers in the second (or third some cases) rank is charged then it will get extra dice at impact to represent the shooting during the charge.
*Hallo hammy

*I have only had the rules for two days so have been scouring them for this. Does this represent units with integral archer support such as later Roman, Byzantine, Dailamite, Umayyad etc foot formations with one or two (front) ranks of melee troops? If so then excellent as they have to remain with the "parent" unit.

*Yours disgracefully

*Pelagius
Overhead shooting is covered on P82 and shooting in the impact phase on P92.

Supporting archers are part of a BG and cannot ever leave it. Some players look at them as a cheap way to bulk up a BG. They do have a limited cobat effect, LF support against mounted charges and MF missile troops support against all opponents when the BG they are in is charged.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:22 pm
by rbodleyscott
PELAGIUS wrote:Does this represent units with integral archer support such as later Roman, Byzantine, Dailamite, Umayyad etc foot formations with one or two (front) ranks of melee troops?


Yes
If so then excellent as they have to remain with the "parent" unit.
Yes