Looking for post where Rick P explains proximity rule

[Ken Portner]

I seem to recall a post in which Rick Priestly explained that the intent of this rule was to prevent a unit moving sideways around a flank, even if read literally the rule does not prohibit this. The post may have been on this site or perhaps the BP yahoo group.

Does anyone recall such a post and if so can you tell me where to find it? Thank you.

[grant]

I seem to recall a post in which Rick Priestly explained that the intent of this rule was to prevent a unit moving sideways around a flank, even if read literally the rule does not prohibit this. The post may have been on this site or perhaps the BP yahoo group.

Does anyone recall such a post and if so can you tell me where to find it? Thank you.

Might I suggest sending a PM to Sir Rick should he, or someone else, not respond in a reasonable amount of time? Might be your best bet!

[Big Al]

Try looking in the articles section of the site. The two main things that you need to know is that when your unit is within 12 inches of an enemy unit, it can only move into its front or rear quarters. It can change formation and expand or contract it's frontage and it can move obliquely into its front or rear quarters.
The other thing to remember is that a unit must contact the same enemy unit quarter that it faces at the start of your turn. You cannot move into a different position and charge a different face. So if your unit is facing the enemy's front at the start of your turn, you cannot move it to the flank and then charge that enemy in the same turn.

Bear in mind that the rules were written using 28mm figures and when within 12 inches of another unit there isn't usually much room to move past it and onto the flank. When you do, it is then difficult to move so that you face that flank because of the proximity rule. So, if you manage to "slide" onto the flank it is becomes difficult to turn to face it. Assuming that you are hoping to get to a position to enfilade it.

Once you manage it, remember that the enemy unit, during it's turn, can act on initiative and turn to face as its move, putting you back on its front. If the player decides to order it and rolls well enough, he could turn to face and then change back into line so that he can maximise his fire power against you without breaking the proximity rule.

[Grompix]

I can't remember whereabouts I found it but I copied Rick's reply into my BP folder: -

Proximity Rule
The rule is only that units can't move to their flank once enemy are within 12" (i.e. units can only move within their front and rear quarters).
This doesn't stop units reorientating so long as they remain within their front or rear quarter - although the broad intent is to oblige units to face-off against each other where in reality they would. That's what's intended by 'roughly straight forward or straight back' - i.e. as opposed to shuffling side-ways like a chorus line.
So - with enemy to the flank within 12" you could turn to face the threat just by turning through 90 degrees about your centre - or wheeling forward or back. And having done that you could (assuming you have more moves) move towards the enemy.
Units making a charge order have to fulfil their order in the most direct way possible - which could be a turn to bring the enemy within the unit's front followed by a charge move. That would be fine - but two moves are required.
What you can't do in this case is make a charge on initiative - even where the unit is within charge range - because it can't move to its flank quarter.
Hope that answers the question - I'm afraid that a game based on stated intentions and a measure of consensus to the extent that Black Powder is, is bound to lack the kind of precision sought in tournament style wargames - it is the nature of the beast. Always happy to answer questions though - and to take note where explanation could be better - that's what this forum is for after all.
Cheers
Rick

Hope this helps.
Chris

[Alan Charlesworth]

other thing to remember is that a unit must contact the same enemy unit quarter that it faces at the start of your turn.

Just to clarify BA, I think what you meant is:

The enemy's quarter that the charger is in at the start of the Turn determines the face of the enemy unit that can be charged. In other words if you start in the enemy's front quarter you can only charge the enemy's front etc. It has nothing to do with the facing of the charger.

[Big Al]

other thing to remember is that a unit must contact the same enemy unit quarter that it faces at the start of your turn.

Just to clarify BA, I think what you meant is:

The enemy's quarter that the charger is in at the start of the Turn determines the face of the enemy unit that can be charged. In other words if you start in the enemy's front quarter you can only charge the enemy's front etc. It has nothing to do with the facing of the charger.

That's right. It made sense when I typed it