Maximising charge advantage

[Cubster]

I wasn't criticising you, Cubster, just thanking you without sarcasm.

I know, I know, shaddap mun!

People retain information on different ways, some people learn aurally, some people orally, some people visually, some people through reading, some through doing ... There is no such thing as a perfect learning system, since each person learns differently, so it's a case of finding out which way of communicating an idea fits the recipient best. I myself do find it tough to grasp an idea if I'm just reading or hearing about it; I'm a visual learner and find illustrations most helpful.

[rigolgm]

I see what I'd got wrong now.

I'd been thinking that, once your charge makes contact, you're only required to slide your unit to 'maximise frontage' at least to cover 50% of the enemy frontage.

But that was me accidentally blending two rules together. The rule about fully maximising frontage with the rule about how you can engage as long as you can get at least 50% frontage.

Now I understand it. When my line of infantry charges another line, for example, it'll slide FULLY across to maximise frontage unless there's another unit (usually an attack column) already taking-up some of the enemy line's frontage.

Phew, I got there in the end.

Cheers.

Mike

[Big Al]

I see what I'd got wrong now.

I'd been thinking that, once your charge makes contact, you're only required to slide your unit to 'maximise frontage' at least to cover 50% of the enemy frontage.

But that was me accidentally blending two rules together. The rule about fully maximising frontage with the rule about how you can engage as long as you can get at least 50% frontage.

Now I understand it. When my line of infantry charges another line, for example, it'll slide FULLY across to maximise frontage unless there's another unit (usually an attack column) already taking-up some of the enemy line's frontage.

Phew, I got there in the end.

Cheers.

Mike

Easily done. I used to mi BP up with Warmaster when it was first released.

[jazbo]

The problem with this is that allowing people to overwhelm units two on one is ludicrous historically. Thats what the support rules are there for - why not use them!?

Two units "barreling in" still have to follow the rules, namely:

1. Units move one at a time.
2. a Charging unit is obliged to maximise contact.

There is no way to put a unit in 2-on-1 unless frontages are different as per the rules.

Yyou maximise contact unless something prevents it, in most cases with standard frontage units, there is nothing to stop units fully aligning, and the rules even state you may move part of a unit further than you should to conform to this obligation. Its really, very, very difficult to see how anyone can allow two on ones when its so explicit that you cant and that there are support rules to cover for the fact you cant gang up on single units.

Of course you can. And no, you are not missing anything (I note rather wearily that the issue of charging two units onto a single defending unit seems to raise more issues than anything else in Blackpowder!).
First, two attack columns can easily barrel into an enemy unit in line. Second, if your force gets two moves, use the first move for the two units to jockey into position, then, when nicely aligned, in the second move send the two units barrelling in.

Stacking two units onto one is perfectly fine according to the rules. I thinks its cheesey, or at least ahistorical, but my opponents think it is just good generalship... cheese is in the eye of the beholder!

The solution is for the defending unit, if threatened by two enemy units, to form into attack column or square with a minimal frontage.