Multiple Attacks

[Orlando Almeida]

We’re trying to get a grip on the rules, but still have several doubts, especially on the charge part and multiple attacks.
Looking at the example in attach and the following situation:

All the French units belong to the same Division with attack orders. The French have Elan and the English have Stoic.
The French decide to charge BR2 with the unit FR2 having the units FR1,FR3 and FR4 joining the charge to give moral support expanding 1 CP and the unit FR5 expanding another CP to charge the unit BR2 in the back.

The idea we have is that BR1, before the contact, can try to shoot FR1 and if they succeed in making them failing moral test, only FR2, 3 and 4 will be part of the assault. If the unit did succeed, then some questions:

• Question 1

Since BR1 shot FR1, then the unit will only give moral support, correct? If so then its SK contribute to the melee “common modifiers” Infantry with Better SK” will be 0, correct?

• Question 2

Since on page 35 we have “One unit against one unit” how to deal with the primary unit? I need to calculate factors if FR5 is the primary unit then the factors of FR2 being the primary unit and choose the best one?

• Question 3

What would be the factors if FR5 is the primary unit?
French
Charge Modifiers: Infantry charging in column (+2), Elan (+1), Rear Arrack (+4)
Common Modifiers: Moral Support (+0) due to FR2 and FR3 neither in flank nor rear, Fire Support (+0,5), Infantry with better SK (+1) since due to rear attack British is SK(0)
Total: 2+1+4+0,5+1rounded UP: +9
English
Infantry in line and Tenacious (+0) because not a frontal assault, Moral Support (+1), Threatened Flank (-1)
Total: 1 – 1 = 0
Final: +9 (FR) vs 0 (BR)

• Question 4

What would be the factors if FR2 is the primary unit?
French
Charge Modifiers: Infantry charging in column (+2), Elan (+1)
Common Modifiers: Better Moral (+1), Moral Support (+2) from right and rear support, Fire Support (+0,5),
Total: 2+1+1+2+0,5 rounded UP: +7
English
Infantry in line (+3), Tenacious (+1), Moral Support (+1), Threatened Flank (-1)
Total: 3 +1+1-1 = 4
Final: +7 (FR) vs 4 (BR)

• Question 5

After answering Q4 and Q5, what is best to do? To charge with FR5 and not to charge with FR2 and FR3 using them instead as fire support to reach a final: +11 (FR) vs 0 (BR)?

Clarifying this will greatly help us better understand the charge/melee resolution mechanism

Thanks for the answers!

[Ph FERLAY]

Dear

First of all, the English troops are not stoic but tenacious (a bonus when attacked by means of a charge).
In case of multiple attacks, they are resolved one by one in accordance with the choice of the attacking player who must state the selection before moving the models.

I also personally think that firing on a supporting unit to the main attacking unit is ot a good idea because the probability of breaking moral of the unit is very low.

I propose you responses but I’m not sure to have right.

• Question 1
Since BR1 shot FR1, then the unit will only give moral support, correct? If so then its SK contribute to the melee “common modifiers” Infantry with Better SK” will be 0, correct?[/i][/i][/i]

=> According to the Rules clarifications in 2024:
Fire and morale support (page 45) ▪ A unit that provides fire support can also count as morale support during a combat. However, these two types of support are not cumulative for the same unit. For example, a unit can both fire on a supporting enemy and give morale support to a friend being attacked.[/color]

For me, BR1 does not give a bonus for morale support.[/color]


• Question 2
Since on page 35 we have “One unit against one unit” how to deal with the primary unit? I need to calculate factors if FR5 is the primary unit then the factors of FR2 being the primary unit and choose the best one?

=>About gaming, It would be more efficient to charge first with the unit FR5. If so, BR2 must undertake a manoeuvre movement (which can fail; if not an “action marker” for the unit and the threat to do it again against FR2.

=>The attacker should say before moving units the first unit to attack.

• Question 3
What would be the factors if FR5 is the primary unit?
French
Charge Modifiers: Infantry charging in column (+2), Elan (+1), Rear Arrack (+4)
Common Modifiers: Moral Support (+0) due to FR2 and FR3 neither in flank nor rear, Fire Support (+0,5), Infantry with better SK (+1) since due to rear attack British is SK(0)
Total: 2+1+4+0,5+1rounded UP: +9
English
Infantry in line and Tenacious (+0) because not a frontal assault, Moral Support (+1), Threatened Flank (-1)
Total: 1 – 1 = 0
Final: +9 (FR) vs 0 (BR)

=>The English player should decide if he wants to react (with a view of turning the line (maneuver test page 45 in the French version). I also suppose that FR2 and FR5 are away from the pace of two (UD in french = 6cm : if so opportunity charge)

The modifiers would be:
Charge Modifiers: Infantry charging in column (+2), Elan (+1), opponent with an action marker (+1)
Common Modifiers: Moral Support (+0) due to FR2 and FR3 neither in flank nor rear, Fire Support (+0,5) if FR6 supports FR5, Infantry with better SK (+1) since due to rear attack British is SK(0) (yes it is right)
Total: 5.5 rounded UP: +6

• Question 4
What would be the factors if FR2 is the primary unit?
French
Charge Modifiers: Infantry charging in column (+2), Elan (+1)
Common Modifiers: Better Moral (+1), Moral Support (+2, In fact +3 because of FR1,3 and 4) from right and rear support, Fire Support (+0,5),
Total: rounded UP: +8
English
Infantry in line (+3), Tenacious (+1), Moral Support (+1) (if Br1 does not fire on FR1), Threatened Flank (-1) (within the distance of 4 UD = 12cm)
Total: 3 +1+1-1 = 4
Final: +7 (FR) vs 4 (BR)
• Question 5
After answering Q4 and Q5, what is best to do? To charge with FR5 and not to charge with FR2 and FR3 using them instead as fire support to reach a final: +11 (FR) vs 0 (BR)?

Clarifying this will greatly help us better understand the charge/melee resolution mechanism

=> About gaming, It would be more efficient to charge first with the unit FR5. If so, BR2 must undertake a manoeuvre movement (which can fail; if not an “action marker” for the unit and the threat to do it again against FR2.

[RogerGreenwood]

Question 1
If Br 1 opportunity fires it will still count as morale support because it is physically there and not disordered and facing the same direction, corner in 2UD etc.It will not count its skirmishers for the combat. The British player would be unwise to do this as he can guarantee at least equal skirmishers (+4) in the combat by support shooting instead.

The rest.
If the British player does not react. Choose Fr5 to be the fighting unit. Fr1, Fr2 and Fr6 shooting will equalise skirmishers at 4 each. Fr5 will have rear attack +4, three friends shooting for +3. Elan and tenacious cancel each other. The British get 1 shooting support but no formation bonus for a rear attack. 6 to 1 guarantees a French win and the British will be eliminated as they have no retreat option.
If the British player succeeds in reacting and turning, the French gain +1 for the enemy action marker and fight with Fr2 into the rear. Every French unit counts as a supporter because Fr2 is fighting and the others are either morale or fire support. Those with skirmishers shooting. 8 to 1 I think. If the British fail the reaction throw, it is Fr5 in the rear again with +2 more for disorder, Br2 loses it skirmishers for being disordered and still gets an action marker.

It looks like the British units are too close together for Br2 to rotate about it centre. A corner would clip Br1 as it turned. The best British option would be to attempt a reaction with Br1 (friend in 2UD being charged). They could then form a square to separate from Br2. Br2 could then attempt to react and rotate so that neither of the French chargers were coming from behind its flank. However, Br1 would have an action marker and hence no skirmisher shooting. It would count rear support from the square and have +3 for defending in line, but have an action marker and worse skirmisher count. Further, if it lost as seems likely, it would not have passage of lines though Br1 and disorder the latter as well.
The British player really needed to see what was coming and not be in that position to start with.
Hope that all helps.

[RogerGreenwood]

It is quite rare to see two units charge the same target. The rules do permit this. They state that one counts as a supporting unit for the other. Getting a guaranteed flank is perhaps the only situation where it is helpful.