A file of archers is fighting in melee as an overlap. It subsequently gets charged frontally. Can the file shoot during the charge phase?
The argument against was that they obviously can't shoot during the shooting phase - see p. 155, C3 bullet 3.
The counter-argument was that the rule only mentions the shooting phase and not the charge phase, and we ended up allowing the shooting.
I think what we missed was rule B.2. just above which states that the shooting mechanism is the same in both the charge and shooting phases - in which case they could NOT shoot.
So, have I answered my own question? (So hard to do research during the heat of battle.)
I believe you have. Both page 84 and page 155 refer to the "shooting mechanism". Of the bullet points in the section C: on page 155, I think it is only the third one - "They are in combat and will be fighting frontally or as a supporting file in melee combat (they are busy)" that applies. Even this wording could be improved because if they are hit in the flank or rear I think they should not be able to shoot either (hit in the flank or rear I think I would count as being busy!).
Richard.
Thanks for the response. If hit in flank or rear, I would think that they could shoot - but only if part of the charge of path is to their front. Not possible on a rear charge (that I can imagine), and only sometimes applicable for a rear charge.