Post by hobgoblin on Jul 21, 2021 9:52:16 GMT
This is a situation that arises a lot in our HOTT games, but I'm not quite sure how it should be handled.
If a column of two elements of side A is in front-edge contact and 'hard-flanked/door closed' by side B, is the rear element of A trapped, or can it use PIPs in its own bound to move?
In the past, we've often allowed the rear element of A to turn to contact the flanking element of B, 'peeling it off' the flank. But this, I see from closer reading of the rules, is wrong, because the flanking element is already in contact and so not obliged to conform. So there would be no combat if the rear element turned 90 degrees, and all that it would be doing is making life even more dangerous for the front element (especially if both elements of A are spear or warband).
But can the rear element of A spend a PIP to retreat directly away from the combat, and then, if the combat continues, move sideways in a subsequent bound and then flank the flanker in bound 3, finally peeling it off. That would require three successive ties or wins from the front element, but it's not an impossible situation - or even that unlikely, if say, the front element of A is blades facing warband on 4 vs 3 with the flank contact.
Or is the rear element effectively locked in place for until the combat is resolved, whether or not it provides support? And if so, is this specified anywhere in the rulebook?
It might seem a niche situation, but it can arise, for example, when a warband group containing the general is hit from the 'wrong' side, so that the general is only providing rear support (and is at risk of imminent destruction). Equally, when sturdy elements like blades are caught in column (perhaps because they've just moved through bad going), there's much to be gained from getting the rear unit out and into the fray.
So what is actually allowed?
Thanks in advance!
If a column of two elements of side A is in front-edge contact and 'hard-flanked/door closed' by side B, is the rear element of A trapped, or can it use PIPs in its own bound to move?
In the past, we've often allowed the rear element of A to turn to contact the flanking element of B, 'peeling it off' the flank. But this, I see from closer reading of the rules, is wrong, because the flanking element is already in contact and so not obliged to conform. So there would be no combat if the rear element turned 90 degrees, and all that it would be doing is making life even more dangerous for the front element (especially if both elements of A are spear or warband).
But can the rear element of A spend a PIP to retreat directly away from the combat, and then, if the combat continues, move sideways in a subsequent bound and then flank the flanker in bound 3, finally peeling it off. That would require three successive ties or wins from the front element, but it's not an impossible situation - or even that unlikely, if say, the front element of A is blades facing warband on 4 vs 3 with the flank contact.
Or is the rear element effectively locked in place for until the combat is resolved, whether or not it provides support? And if so, is this specified anywhere in the rulebook?
It might seem a niche situation, but it can arise, for example, when a warband group containing the general is hit from the 'wrong' side, so that the general is only providing rear support (and is at risk of imminent destruction). Equally, when sturdy elements like blades are caught in column (perhaps because they've just moved through bad going), there's much to be gained from getting the rear unit out and into the fray.
So what is actually allowed?
Thanks in advance!
