Slitherine

Do the POAs for ">= 2 ranks of spears" etc require a complete second rank only for the elements actually in combat, or for the whole battlegroup? What about overlaps?

Is this covered in the rules somewhere? I couldn't find it...

Thanks,

John

It applies file by file.
So if you have a BG of 8 spearmen 4 wide all fighting and in the impact combat you loose a base then the melee is 6 dice at + for spearmen 2 deep plus 1 dice at = as it has only one rank.

Aha! Thank you.
That makes a lot of sense.

John

Yes just to comfirm think by file. Thus one of the ways Pks deterioriate is losing a base so that one file doesn't tget the for 4th rank. Note that this can lead you to need to roll different coloured dice for 1 BG sometimes.

It also means that sometimes there is benefit in having Spears deployed with a couple fo bases in a 3rd rank as they can soak up casualties.

Si

Hey Shall, I have read before about soaking up casualties. I was curious though. Would it not be better to get 4 files fighting initially rather than 3? You will have more of a bite on the enemy at first. You start with more dice and lose dice as you lose stands rather than starting at less dice and staying at that level a little longer.

Only playing 1 game I have no experience but was just wondering if that was a better tactical decision?

Brian

BrianC wrote:Hey Shall, I have read before about soaking up casualties. I was curious though. Would it not be better to get 4 files fighting initially rather than 3?

No, because you should not be thinking in terms of individual BGs fighting individual BGs. Your spearmen should be in a solid battle line consisting of several BGs, not scattered across the table with gaps in between them. Thus they can both have extra spare bases in a 3rd rank and also avoid being overlapped.

Alas my considered opinion is ... it depends....

Si

Thanks for that Scott,

I guess you do need to look at the bigger picture. I just find now that I am still trying to learn the rules I am looking at a smaller picture rather than the larger. But as experience increases so will the vision and scope. LOL at least thats the plan

Brian

Shall, your other job is not a politician by chance is it : )

No - it has taken me years to learn there is a fence to sit on even!


To expand a little

If facing bowfire some 3rd rank bases are useful.

If you face an enemy that is likely to result in a lengthy slog then some spare bases are good news

If not then extra width or rear support are better uses for the bases

Si

Of course I realize that each battle and situation will warrant a different tactic. I was merely asking in general. Do you have any popcorn on the fence : )

Brian