Cossacks Irregular Cavalary Evades?

[pugsville]

Do cossacks and other irregular cavalry evade when NOT in single line?

We have played they do, but reading the rules it says only light cavalry in single line , infantry skirmishers.

[deadtorius]

As far as I know they do evade even if in tactical. Thats how I have played them too. Lets face it they are not front line combat troops and will likely get destroyed by any regular cavalry that catches them

[richafricanus]

It would appear we've been playing it incorrectly as the rule is pretty specific. Makes Cossacks a little less effective doesn't it...

[geoff]

Playing Cancon this year. If I charge anyone who has Cossacks I will let them evade. Crazy not to.

[deadtorius]

Cossacks are not front line combat troops. if you charge anything you start with 4 dice, versus most targets will get 6. Unless you are facing a flank or your target is wavering its a test to charge. I try to use them to block second moves. its best if you can keep them off on a flank where they have evade move room and you can pull an enemy cavalry force off in some undesired direction by forcing them to wheel towards you and charge away from your front lines. Their ability to move half move in any direction other than straight ahead makes them a nice mobile force. If you run them over an LOC it still counts as captured. They also reduce shooting dice. they have their uses, just standing in the front line and looking threatening is not it. For me they have come in handy and been a bit of a problem if they get driven out front of friends they cant interpenetrate. 1 die for CMT makes it hard to get them to do anything fancy. but 2 dice for cohesion means they are better than the average conscript unit. Also the fact that as skirmishers they can move out past the set up line in the first two turns puts them into a nice second move blocking position.

[KeefM]

Page 30, RH column provides for LC skirmisher responses.

As does the new QRS.

No doubt irregular LC skirmishers evade whether in extended line or tactical.

Mike H or Terry commented on this many threads ago.

[KeefM]

Found it !!

Read this thread: Terry's view as expressed at the end doesn't seem to have made it into an amendment is all . . . http://www.slitherine.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 88&t=41329

[terrys]

Do cossacks and other irregular cavalry evade when NOT in single line?

We have played they do, but reading the rules it says only light cavalry in single line , infantry skirmishers.

2nd Bullet point down on the LH column of page 30 states:
"Light cavalry in Skirmish formation must test if they wish to counter-charge non-skirmishing Cavalry. They will evade if the test is failed."
to which should be added "or if the test is not taken"
It would have made sense to have added skirmishing cavalry to the 'Evade' reaction move rather than 1/2 page later.

Units Irregular Light Cavalry are ALWAYS skirmishers regardless of whichever other formation they are in.
Units of Light Infantry in skirmish formation MUST also be in extended line or tactical formations.