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Target Priorities

Posté : jeu. 16 janv. 2020 18:46
par RogerGreenwood
All the items in the target priority list are formed units. Does this mean that only formed units may be shot at, unless returning the fire of an unformed unit?
If not, does this mean that unformed targets may be engaged only when no formed targets are available?

Artillery are permitted to use canister against skirmishers. Can this only happen if the skirmishers target the artillery?

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : lun. 3 févr. 2020 13:51
par hcaille
Indeed, artillery first target is formed unit.
So your artillery must fire on formed target first (unless the general is attached to the artillery to command fire).

You can fire canister on skirmishers if you have no other target. It is not very efficient as it will only force skirmishers to flee.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : sam. 21 mars 2020 04:30
par Hazelbark
So is the correct way to read the firing priorities like so:

When several targets are available, you first start at the nearest range "short"
then you go through the priorities.
If there are no formed units in that range, then you do unformed units.
If not unformed units, then you move out to the next range band "effective".
Then repeat priorities, then do unformed.
Then next range band "long"

You cannot fire through units (even unformed) except as listed on p 54.
Note the last bullet on p 54 means artillery can fire cannon balls through/over enemy detached skirmishers so that obviously allows the artillery to modify whom it targets even moving to a different range band.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : sam. 21 mars 2020 11:01
par RogerGreenwood
We have had this discussion already I believe. Because you can see through units higher priority targets behind can be shot at. Primarily formed infantry behind gun batteries.
Interestingly this means disordered troops may be shot through. I think that those of us with experience of playing ancients think of disordered as being a minor disruption to ranks. I am thinking that 'disordered' in BE means significantly dispersed, certainly not able to charge and not a solid target, just a loose mass of individuals.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : dim. 22 mars 2020 23:43
par viperofmilan
Roger, just wondering where you find that units can shoot through disordered units. I can only find references that indicate disordered units suffer all the penalties but gain none of the benefits of their formation.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : lun. 23 mars 2020 07:44
par RogerGreenwood
Priority targets are formed units. A previous discussion pointed out that troops do not block line of sight. Primarily we had it confirmed that artillery could target formed infantry behind a gun battery. By the same logic, formed targets behind any other unformed units are visible.
Disordered troops cannot charge and are not a threat. I am visualising them as a loose group, quite dispersed like skirmishers. Hence it makes sense to me that gunners would target the more threatening formed troops behind them.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : lun. 23 mars 2020 13:32
par viperofmilan
Seems logical Roger, but apparently it doesn't say this anywhere in the RAW. "Unformed" does not seem to have a uniform definition when applied to detached skirmishers, unlimbered artillery, and disordered units. For instance, artillery can shoot through enemy detached skirmishers and unlimbered artillery at effective range (with no effect on the SK or the artillery) in order to hit a formed unit beyond, but apparently not through disordered units. Significantly, or perhaps not, skirmishers and artillery never can be disordered; they flee instead. Units can pass through and be passed through by SK in any direction. Moving through unlimbered artillery and disordered units seems to be only by passage of lines. Disordered units apparently have a formation, but do not benefit from it and move as if in column.

Please be aware that I am not criticizing your assessment. I agree with you, and it does seem logical to me. I'm afraid that the RAW do not support our view, however, and I have yet to see a definitive response from Herve.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : lun. 23 mars 2020 18:57
par RogerGreenwood
I appreciate firing through disordered troops may be a contentious idea🤔. I do not believe it says that you can fire through artillery (I will check). If I recall correctly the author wrote that troops do not block visibility. It doesn't say that in the rules. It is simply that troops are not on the list of what blocks visibility.
Once the virus situation is over we will hopefully get some competitions happening and sort these issues out.
Off to have another read and see what I can find.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : lun. 23 mars 2020 21:28
par Hazelbark
RogerGreenwood a écrit :
lun. 23 mars 2020 18:57
If I recall correctly the author wrote that troops do not block visibility. It doesn't say that in the rules. It is simply that troops are not on the list of what blocks visibility.
When you get your citations that would help us grapple with what you are saying. Particularly how you square what you just wrote with the diagram on p51 upper right corner. Where A2 is specifically blocked by troops A3.

Re: Target Priorities

Posté : mar. 24 mars 2020 15:07
par RogerGreenwood
Dan, reading the rules re your comments. Also on page 51 under 'firing zone', the zone must be free of friendly and enemy troops. I am now at a loss on this. The author clearly stated on this discussion site that firing through enemy guns was fine. This completely contradicts the firing zone paragraph.
I would really like an authors clarification on this. I believe the best result would be to permit artillery fire through skirmishers and artillery but not disordered troops. However, this is not what the rules state. We will have to have a house rule for our games until we get more information.
Sorry for not finding the stuff on page 51 earlier.