2 units charging the same unit

[madmike111]

I have had this situation a few times and never really known how to resolve it according to the rules.

Unit A is the target BG, BG B and C are lancers, both of which must charge A which is in range of both.

For both lancer units if they initially ignore the other lancer they would normally wheel and contact BG A. However the unit that charges second will not now be able to contact BG A as the first charger is blocking the target.

.....AAAA
.....AAAA

BB.............CC
..BB.........CC
...BB......CC

What should happen in this situation?

In our games we used a house rule that the both lancers charge and shift enough during the impact to each side to allow the following to occur.

..AAAA
..AAAA
BBBCCC
BBBCCC

[sagji]

The lancers aren't required to wheel, indeed if the wheel would result in less bases of that BG fighting in the impact phace then they can't wheel.
You implement the charges one by one, and if the second one can't make contact, even with dropping back one base to avoid friends, then its charge is cancelled even if it was a charge without orders.
During the movement of each charging BG no other BGs are moved at all, except those burst through may be moved to make room.

Moving B before C:
Assuming that B would contact only 2 bases of A including stepping forward without a wheel. Then B can wheel past the point of being parallel to A, so long as it still hits the center left base of A as a second base of B will then step forward into the end of A. This may clear enough space for C.

However if B would contact 3 bases of A then it can only wheel so far as it still contacts the center right of A and provided this would allow it to step forward into 2 more bases of A. C will be blocked from a straight charge so can wheel freely (up to 90 degrees) and can drop back one file to avoid B, so may still be able to fight. B as it is moving first does not have the option to drop a file to allow space for C - it only has to option to drop back if C is in the way at the point that B moves. Provided that B touches less than 1/2 of the center right base, then after ligning up and expanding at the start of the maneouver phase you will have an overlap on both sides.

Only at the start of the manoeuver phase do the chargers line up with the enemy. If C has dropped back a file it can now expand to get an overlap, so it will always have the overlap.

[madmike111]

thanks for the answer about doing one charge at a time and canceling the second charge

[shall]

The lancers aren't required to wheel, indeed if the wheel would result in less bases of that BG fighting in the impact phace then they can't wheel.
You implement the charges one by one, and if the second one can't make contact, even with dropping back one base to avoid friends, then its charge is cancelled even if it was a charge without orders.

Indeed you do them 1 at a time.

But there is nothing in the rules about charges being cancelled unless someone can point it out to me.

FWIW we play it that the first one charges in and the second one tries to make contact and if it physically can get no nearer it stops at this point.

This encourages you to try to get both in if you can sort of as per the suggested solution.

This is one area we are likely to calrify soon officially. Next FAQ I suspect.

Si

[madmike111]

Both units having to charge even if the second can’t make contact is a disaster for the attacker. What will happen is that the second unit will likely end its charge pushed up against the rear of the first charger. Come the break off stage assuming the defender is still in good order the first charger is unable to break off so drops a cohesion level.

It gets even worse as after the first break off it’s the defenders turn and again during the break off phase as the first attacker can’t physically move backwards again so they drop another level to fragmented. Should the defender succeed in causes a disruption during either the initial impact or the 2 following combat phases then the first charger is actually broken and routs through the second charger, disrupting the second lancer unit.

Am I correct with the above scenario?

[jfnavarro]

But there is nothing in the rules about charges being cancelled unless someone can point it out to me.

In page 54, talking about formation changes allowed during a charge, you can find this sentence:

If, owing to this, contact is no possible, the charge cannot be made and is cancelled.

Does this rule be applicable in a general situation?


Francisco.

[philqw78]

nothing...about charges being cancelled unless someone can point it out to me

I think they just did.

[shall]

Well it wasn't intended to apply to double charges of the type we are talking about and is in the formation change section but yes potentially it does do it.

As for two BGs getting in a mess the idea was that shock troops should be kept simple and not at angles where they are going to likelyt run into each other. So in principlae at least 2 forced charges at funny angles leading to a bit of a mess doesn't sound a bad concept.

One for us to mull over more as a team.

Will report back thereafter.

Si