Slitherine

Had a disagreement on rules concerning tests not to charge when faced by portable defences. I have always taken it that mounted shock troops don't have to test if their target is defending PD's as they're ' foot defending fortifications or a riverbank'.

However in the Portable Defences section it states 'PD are treated as field fortifications when their defenders are in close combat against mounted opponents other than elephants'. So the argument was put that the PD's didn't count as fortifications at the point the shock cavalry have to test for a charge as close combat isn't yet occurring. Therefore the shock cavalry charges or tests not to.

Which is correct?

I have always seen it ruled that they have to test

They do have to test not to charge.

This was a FAQ published by the authors in V1.

http://www.fieldofglory.com/file/FAQ_ver5.01.pdf

Do shock troops (even if mounted) have to test not to charge troops behind portable defences?
Yes.

p63 of the v2 rulebook on exceptions where shock troops do not have to test to charge 'if their move would end in contact with....fortifications other than portable defences'.

p63 of the v2 rulebook on exceptions where shock troops do not have to test to charge 'if their move would end in contact with....fortifications other than portable defences'.

Excellent!

I knew there would be a good reason why we had not carried this V1 FAQ into the V2 Umpire Clarifications. Thanks very much.