How Far Do Fleeing Troops Flee?

I have always seen rule (a) implemented.

I agree with Martin - B.    As an aside, I do like the HoTT flee rules that has elements avoiding obstacles/enemies/friends with certain exceptions rather than running into them.

Simon

If a flee is an outcome move, not a tactical move, how would a) apply if it is labeled "Tactical Move Distance"?  Count me confused!

By my simple mind , you turn 180 degrees and make a flee outcome move, but Cv and LH would halt as soon as they hit the bad going, right?  If they hit rough going, they continue to move into it at the remaining flee distance for the going they started out in?

The reference to "Tactical Move Distance" is merely a reference to the distance to be travelled. The Flee is, indeed, an outcome move, not subject to the Tactical Move rules (other than distance). Note that Phil considers these different, in the Interpenetration, he states "If making a tactical move or fleeing, . . ." This shows they are different. Thus we need only consider the text of the Flee section.

The fleeing element turns and moves "straight forward" for the distance indicated in the Tactical Move section. 4BW for Cavalry and LH if starting in good going, 1 Base Width if in Bad Going or Rough. Cav stops if it hits Bad Going, but continues into Marsh, unless starting in Bad Going. It continues into Rough. LH continues into Bad or Rough at Good Going rate. Both are destroyed if enters river.

Thus b in the original question.


FLEEING
This represents a panic individual rush to the rear. A fleeing element turns 180 degrees in place; and then moves straight forward without turning for its full tactical move distance for the going it starts in. It then stops until making a tactical move or conforming to further contact by enemy. If it contacts a side battlefield edge, it pivots and continues the move along that edge towards its rear battlefield edge. If any part of it crosses any other battlefield edge it is removed as lost.

It stops before completing its move and lines up if its front edge (or front corner only) contacts any of: (a) enemy (whom it will fight next bound), (b) friends it cannot pass through (as specified on p.9), (c) a city, fort or camp, (d) a waterway, or (e) for troops other than Psiloi or Light Horse, any bad going except marsh it is not already at least partly in.

It is destroyed if it starts with an enemy front edge in contact with its flank or rear edges, or if after turning it cannot move at all, or if it enters any river. If a friendly or enemy element prevents further movement by fleeing Elephants or Scythed Chariots, both elements are destroyed.

Hmmmm. While I agree that is how the rules are written it implies that the fleeing elements can move faster through difficult terrain when fleeing than at any other time. Seems odd. Take that logic further - what if the terrain is impassable? A small lake for example not big enough to count as a waterway. Does it suddenly become passable when Cav flee? Would they magically flee across a lake? To me common sense must apply and a different interpretation ot application of HOTT principles appears sensible despite diverging from the written word. Rules are after all for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of others.

I gues they move quicker because they are in a bit of a panic.  Also, I think that in the rules the only terrain that is impassable is a waterway and the rules are quite clear that troops stop when fleeing and meet a waterway,  If you have a small lake, which does not exist in the rules, then you would need to have a house rule.  This is what Bob did when he added a pond to his excellent Spartacus scenario in GBOH.

Simon