I reread the rules and as discussed it is not cristal clear . From one UK's leading referee's  explanation a general when it wants to join an UG must do so frontally or to the back of a file , so not on the side, and conform 100 % to the 1 BW frontage of the base. Is it correct ? and what if the general reaches only half the width can it shift half a base on the principle of "joining friends" .

Usually we played that if the general just touched even by the corner of it's base a file, it joined the file ( KISS principle )

A clarification on the forum might be interesting as up to my knowledge every Belgian, french and greek players do play it differently so as if the general touches the file it's in the file or ..not 

It is not precisely defined in the rules.

A general that is attached to a unit must be aligned to either the front or back of a file.  This is clear.
 
My interpretation is if moving away from the UG, then they cannot exceed the movement distance from their starting position.  If joining the UG then they must end up in a position aligned to the front or back of a file to become attached to the UG without exceeding their movement distance.  There is no half base width shift for generals.

I have no particular problem if it is played differently.  It rarely makes a difference and when it does, as long as a player is not being ridiculous then I don't mind.  Relax guys, it is only a game.  If you have to take it that seriously, take a good look at yourself.

Richard

A thing I've sometimes had to pull people up on is that a general moves to a specific file and that the move is to either the front or the back of the file which is where you'd measure it to.

Quote from: nikgaukroger on March 18, 2025, 07:41:34 AM
A thing I've sometimes had to pull people up on is that a general moves to a specific file and that the move is to either the front or the back of the file which is where you'd measure it to.

okay it is how i see it too.
But then does it really matter ?
As in front or back you can claim it to fight in the file?
Is joining the file not enough for the general to join the file/UG ?

Where the general's base physically is affects whether they are in command range of UGs - so whether they are front/back affects this; it isn't just about fighting in the file when front/back make no difference as you say.

I thought the interpretation of this was that you worked out exactly where the general would be when he joined the file (when aligned at front or back of file) then measured the move from his current position to that new location and only moved there if it was within his move distance. In other words a "strict" interpretation. Have I been doing it wrong all this time?

Quote from: daveparish on March 18, 2025, 10:32:11 AM
I thought the interpretation of this was that you worked out exactly where the general would be when he joined the file (when aligned at front or back of file) then measured the move from his current position to that new location and only moved there if it was within his move distance. In other words a "strict" interpretation. Have I been doing it wrong all this time?

I think you have been doing it as (strictly) intended.

Okay, so as i read it the general must join a UG at the back or the rear.
So a general can do maximum 5 MU to the UG and the 1 MU to join alligned to the file.
If a few mm are missing he is not alligned and cannot join,same for 1/2 base width ?
The base moves as per general rules, so joining from the side directopn means the base has got to make a turn, usualy at the end of the move all within the 6 MU allowed.
As generals may be based on round bases (all my generals are) how is this done?
what if there is no space to put the base of the general, in front or back (see 11.2)?
Did not find anything in the rule for the general to be in front, back, allgned with a file ?

I think (may be wrong!) that Generals don't have a facing, so no need for turns etc - just work out where the general would be (either back or front of file) and measure the straight line distance (for the corner that has to travel the furthest if he is having to change angle). I think this might mean you could put the general's "side" edge against the back of the file if you really needed to (but that might be a more controversial interpretation!!)

Indeed generals have no facing. Doubt there is anything written about their facing in the rules at all though.

I rather suspect we're getting some overthinking here and looking for things which are neither there nor needed.

Quote from: nikgaukroger on March 18, 2025, 03:12:09 PM
Indeed generals have no facing. Doubt there is anything written about their facing in the rules at all though.

I rather suspect we're getting some overthinking here and looking for things which are neither there nor needed.

YAy good, o was afraid of the interpretation some might do.
And i think of more of these :
So to sumerize, a general to join a UG, it has to be front or back bases, touching the rear or front edge of that base is enough?
He cannot join from the side of a base?

If I were pushed for a strict ruling at a comp I would say that to join an UG the generals move must be able to get the base into proper alignment with a front or rear base to be part of a file.

Like a ruck in rugby it is not permissible to enter from the side 

So if I understand it correctly:

No joining on the flanks/sides

The general joins either to the front or the rear

Corner to corner first is not enough ?or is it ?

As some have round bases generals, strict application to reach the full  1 BW of the file is not applicable even if it should ?

No universal half a base shift or universal half a base shift ?

For a general on a round base, you would have to mark 4 points at 90 degree intervals around the base. You would have to move one of these points into contact with the centre point of the file's front or rear edge.

OR you could rebase them so they comply with the rules as written.

Quote from: LawrenceG on March 19, 2025, 10:15:14 AM
For a general on a round base, you would have to mark 4 points at 90 degree intervals around the base. You would have to move one of these points into contact with the centre point of the file's front or rear edge.

OR you could rebase them so they comply with the rules as written.

Why not just allow for simplicity and nice dioramas  and adapt ?

We have let people use round bases for years . We can stick to the rules but should have reacted sooner

My main interest ( and a french player asked me to clarify things ) : is touching the large 1 BW front and rear OK , do we have to be real strict , what about the 1/2 base universal shift and if it does not apply to generals why as it is universal  so we can close the matter . Some people need it written black on white without the door open to interpretation .