If I have a X rank deep phalanx of pikes or LS, the second rank ( third and 4th for pikes ) contributes to the combat by adding claims.
Now it is clear that if the front rank is out of terrain, even partially and the the line of fighting is out of the terrain the front base is unaffected by the terrain
My question is the following : what about the other ranks that do give claims ?
Is the logic the same as for shooters if part of the front rank is out of the terrain all the UG shoots as if out of terrain so does the phalanx fight with all ranks as if in open terrain ?
I can repharse it simply : if a 4 rank deep phalanx , what about the support of the 3rd rank if completely in terrain while the line of fighting is out of terrain 8)
It is all about the "line of fighting". 6 O 3 3.2 (PDF) covers this for ranks contributing.
(https://i.imgur.com/R6oYnK8.png)
I read it but I just want a simple clear answer as there was a discussion
If the contributing rank is in terrain and is LS or pike It provides "support/contributes" if the line of fighting is outside terrain
That's how I read it
But other people sometimes read it differently so Am I correct
This is a subtle rule so I am not surprised you are having difficult in translation.
For a file that is fighting, it will be the line of fighting that matters. This can either be its own front bases edge, or the edge of the enemy base that the file is fighting. You can choose. Thus if you are partially in the terrain but your opponent isn't, you might choose their base edge so as to count in the open.
If the base is in a supporting file, then it must use its own front edge. So each bases front edge must be out of the terrain to count as out of the terrain. Some troops won't care as they won't be affected or badly affected by the terrain, but some do.
To be entirely safe, troops that don't want to be in the open need to be entirely in the terrain, not partially in and partially out, as if they are contacted by an enemy who is entirely out of the terrain they will in effect be fighting in the open.
Richard
Quote from: lionheartrjc on October 16, 2023, 05:35:42 PM
If the base is in a supporting file, then it must use its own front edge. So each bases front edge must be out of the terrain to count as out of the terrain.
Jacques is asking about a contributing file (rear ranks) not a supporting file.
The rule on contribution ranks mentions the line of fighting which will be the front base of the file.
Therefore it does not matter if 2nd, 3rd, 4th ranks front edges are in terrain as they are not the line of fighting.
Quote from: nikgaukroger on October 16, 2023, 05:52:17 PM
Quote from: lionheartrjc on October 16, 2023, 05:35:42 PM
If the base is in a supporting file, then it must use its own front edge. So each bases front edge must be out of the terrain to count as out of the terrain.
Jacques is asking about a contributing file (rear ranks) not a supporting file.
The rule on contribution ranks mentions the line of fighting which will be the front base of the file.
Therefore it does not matter if 2nd, 3rd, 4th ranks front edges are in terrain as they are not the line of fighting.
Thanks that's how I read it .
We have a tournament next week end and this might be useful
???
File or base ?
Maybe Add an example with pike phalanx 4 rank deep in next clarification .
This is not obvious to any .
Scaling down , even a mighty phalanx is only physically located in the first few millimeters of the front base ...
the rest is only gaming tools .
It goes better with giving pictural sample .
« A good sketch is better than a long discourse » NAPOLEON
It's not a question of file and base but LINE OF FIGHTING 8)
If the line of fighting is in terrain, no rank bonuses . If the line of fighting is in open terrain, you got the bonuses