The following points came up at Derventio this weekend.
1. Can an orb charge? - We ruled it couldn't.
2. An orb can only be formed if the files are at least 2 deep. Does an orb remain an orb if it loses base(s) so a file is no longer 2 deep?
3. Can an orb supply a supporting file to an adjacent friendly UG? - I ruled it couldn't.
4. Two orbs are exactly 2 base widths apart, with a friendly archer unit set 1.5 BW back. If an enemy UG charges the archers, can the Orbs then come out of orb and initiate melee combat? - I ruled it couldn't come out of orb and initiate a combat in the same movement phase. Although the orb fights 1 file deep in all directions, I take the view it can only fight enemy bases with their front edge in contact with the orb.
5. Can an orb in melee come out of orb?
6. You come out of orb by making "a normal move". - I ruled this had to be in the movement phase and as a prompted action.
Richard
It was certainly a challenge, well played Roger
Hi Richard
All good tightening of an oddball.
1. Can an orb charge? - We ruled it couldn't. DEFINITELY NOT. MOVE ONLY IN MOVEMENT PHASE AND THEN LIMITED.
2. An orb can only be formed if the files are at least 2 deep. Does an orb remain an orb if it loses base(s) so a file is no longer 2 deep? YES ONCE FORMED IT KEEPS ITS ORB EFFECTS.
3. Can an orb supply a supporting file to an adjacent friendly UG? - I ruled it couldn't. NO AS PARALLEL TO NOT GETTING THEM AGAINST THEM.
4. Two orbs are exactly 2 base widths apart, with a friendly archer unit set 1.5 BW back. If an enemy UG charges the archers, can the Orbs then come out of orb and initiate melee combat? - I ruled it couldn't come out of orb and initiate a combat in the same movement phase. Although the orb fights 1 file deep in all directions, I take the view it can only fight enemy bases with their front edge in contact with the orb. OOH THAT IS A CREATIVE ONE. AM TEMPTED TO SAY IT CANNOT COME OUT OF ORB WITH ANY ENEMY IN CONTACT, BUT IT CAN FIGHT AS AN ORB TO THE FLANK CONTACT. QUITE CLEVER AND IF YOU PULL IT OFF I WOULD IMAGINE IT HAVING SOME BENEFIT. ONE TO PONDER.
5. Can an orb in melee come out of orb? NO ONCE IN ORB CAN ONLY COME OUT IF UNENGAGED.
6. You come out of orb by making "a normal move". - I ruled this had to be in the movement phase and as a prompted action. INDEED MY INTENT AND NOT WHEN IN CONTACT WITH ENEMY NEEDS ADDING.
I THINK IF 5/6 ARE CLEAR THEN 4 IS OK ALLOWING THEM TO FIGHT ANY IN CONTACT WITH THEM.
A MILD BENEFIT BIT ALLOWS A DECENT DEFENSIVE POSITION WITH MULTIPLE ORBS.
NOT SO DAFT I FEEL.
Quote from: mad lemmey on March 25, 2019, 07:30:38 AM
It was certainly a challenge, well played Roger
Yes a clever invention Roger, which I am half comfortable with if it creates a defensive formation, but not as an aggressive trap which i think it too much - see reply.
Si
I think there needs to be clarity on the number of files an orb gets when fighting to its side. I assume it is equivalent to the number of enemy files in front edge contact with the side of the orb.
In situation 4. you would get the situation where figures in edge to edge contact (one of them the orb) are fighting. How many files would be fighting? Presumably the enemy would be able to turn 90 to face the orb in contact.
I look forward to proof-reading the revised desription of the orb characteristic! :D
Richard
FFS I thought Orb was just for spare points
Quote from: Simon Meg-Meister on March 25, 2019, 08:06:09 AM
4. Two orbs are exactly 2 base widths apart, with a friendly archer unit set 1.5 BW back. If an enemy UG charges the archers, can the Orbs then come out of orb and initiate melee combat? - I ruled it couldn't come out of orb and initiate a combat in the same movement phase. Although the orb fights 1 file deep in all directions, I take the view it can only fight enemy bases with their front edge in contact with the orb. OOH THAT IS A CREATIVE ONE. AM TEMPTED TO SAY IT CANNOT COME OUT OF ORB WITH ANY ENEMY IN CONTACT, BUT IT CAN FIGHT AS AN ORB TO THE FLANK CONTACT. QUITE CLEVER AND IF YOU PULL IT OFF I WOULD IMAGINE IT HAVING SOME BENEFIT. ONE TO PONDER.
I think Richard's ruling is the sensible way forward on this.
Quote from: lionheartrjc on March 25, 2019, 08:21:55 AM
I think there needs to be clarity on the number of files an orb gets when fighting to its side. I assume it is equivalent to the number of enemy files in front edge contact with the side of the orb.
In situation 4. you would get the situation where figures in edge to edge contact (one of them the orb) are fighting. How many files would be fighting? Presumably the enemy would be able to turn 90 to face the orb in contact.
I look forward to proof-reading the revised desription of the orb characteristic! :D
Richard
More than I am looking forward to writing it ... and yes ruling perfectly sensible.
Will put my tightening hat on next week.
But if the only issue that came up is Orbs I am pretty happy.
S
Hi Guys
Thanks for that,
1. Please remember to change the text on page 70 2.2 as there, the only troops not allowed to charge are Artillery, Battle Wagons and troops behind barricades
2. "troops can only form Orb if 2 ranks deep" ???,so if we were a pike formation with ORB characteristic, or 2 wide three deep formation, we wouldn't be able to form ORB? or would we have to change formation then form ORB ( seems a very long winded response to a defensive formation change which presumable is rather pressing) Characteristicss say "at least two base width depth"!?
3. An 8 base legion, with its rear rank about face somehow doesn't really fit the concept of ORB!
4. The suggestion that ORB was only used in defense is not strictly accurate, it was also used to attack in static siege situations, we are not re-enacting, so the rules and lists are there to try to accurately reflect the Troop Types, Abilities and Competencies, it is up to the general to be innovative with the troops he has at his disposal, the fact that maybe they haven't isn't a good reason for they shouldn't