If a fighting file has has a front rank long spear, rear rank bw
Can a lsp from an unengaged file join the file in combat to act as a second rank of lsp as a MF1 move to add a factor, or does the bw somehow stop this?
As MF1 does not mention redressing ranks (as M8 does for example) I believe that you could not insert the LSp as a 2nd rank.
Unclear to me. Is there not an ethos of getting troops into combat as much as possible...
Only to a degree and not where it does not conform with the rules, and in this case I don't believe it does. There are other cases, such as odd examples where you cannot conform where this happens as well.
I would also say that it is an unofficial ethos used as a guide to assist in sorting out queries quickly that may then be dealt with at leisure later :-)
The wording is "create ranks" - which to me says that you can only add bases to the back of a file, not insert it in the middle.
Quote from: jasonbroomer on August 10, 2021, 08:31:36 PM
Unclear to me. Is there not an ethos of getting troops into combat as much as possible...
I would not permit this as an umpire.
Richard
Quote from: jasonbroomer on August 10, 2021, 08:31:36 PM
Unclear to me. Is there not an ethos of getting troops into combat as much as possible...
To change the order of the files you need an M1 which cannot be used in melee.
You can add bases in a file in combat by using MF1 but at the rear end of the file or creating a new file . So you cannot do it as you propose. Also not that MF1 could not easely be used to remove the bow base. First if byzantine skutatoï it might have a shieldwall characteristic and so support the front file and being in combat unable to move . Or if you want to use MF1, you need to sent the base to another file, fighting as a front rank perhaps in support ..a bit difficult isn't it ?