Alignment help

[d00b]

I've been getting to grip with the rules, and in particular wrapping my head around the alignment rules.  I hope I have it mostly clear in my head, but I'm still a little uncertain over situations where some files are in a flank and some in front.  I'm hoping someone can kindly let me know if I've go this right, referencing the diagrams in the 2020 Integrated Clarries.

See attached Diagram 1.  I understand why the green unit can't align, assuming that it's leftmost file was beyond the front of the blue unit at the time of charging.  All fine.

And then in the movement phase the green unit can align as per diagram2 as the prohibition on breaking flank contact does not apply outside of charge phase.  This is where I become a bit uncertain - I am assuming this takes the leftmost file out of engagement and it potentially becomes a supporting file in melee?

And if that is the case, if the alignment happens at the beginning of the movement phase, is the left file then immediately eligible to turn in to engage blue on the flank in melee as per M2.2 on P132?

Thanks!




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[badhabum]

Part of the answer is the key word "may" conform . But why would green want to conform as in melee it will still have a flank contact unless blue turns the flank contacted base as it may do so !

Now the 2020 updates have all been rewritten in the compendium edition .

And as a reminder no front rank base may move more than one MU when conforming

[Francis Small]

And as a reminder no front rank base may move more than one MU when conforming

About that 1 BW limit...

It appears that:

• The limit applies only to the front edge of the front rank base, not the entire base, and
• The limit does not apply to a front rank base not in contact with the enemy.

I say this based on the bottom diagram on p. 137 - specifically how the left Gallic UG is shown to align. The front rank of the left file clearly moves more than 1 BW, while for the front rank of the right file, the back right corner also clearly moves more than 1 BW during aligning.

[lionheartrjc]

And as a reminder no front rank base may move more than one MU when conforming

About that 1 BW limit...

It appears that:

• The limit applies only to the front edge of the front rank base, not the entire base, and
• The limit does not apply to a front rank base not in contact with the enemy.

I say this based on the bottom diagram on p. 137 - specifically how the left Gallic UG is shown to align. The front rank of the left file clearly moves more than 1 BW, while for the front rank of the right file, the back right corner also clearly moves more than 1 BW during aligning.

First - read the rule.  9.5 B 5. (p135).  States no front rank base. Doesn't mention anything about not applying to bases not in contact with the enemy.   I think the diagram in page 137 is somewhat misleading.  It is focused on not aligning to the front and may have missed the 1BW point.  The Gauls on the right appear to obey the 1BW rule and are shown aligning.

Richard

[d00b]

Thanks for the inputs. 

Part of the answer is the key word "may" conform . But why would green want to conform as in melee it will still have a flank contact unless blue turns the flank contacted base as it may do so !

Regarding this point, I did at first wonder why green would want to align, but input from Simon to a previous, but similar post noted:

d) Aligning is always optional - but encouraged where it makes no difference.  After charge phase everything fights as if it is algined for purposes of working out who is in and who is a Supporting File.

So my understanding is that in the melee phase you have to fight as if aligned anyway, and the left file would be relegated to supporting regardless of aligning the models?

[nikgaukroger]

The "as if aligned" bit is only for determining whether a file can count as a Supporting File and not for other fighting.

[d00b]

The "as if aligned" bit is only for determining whether a file can count as a Supporting File and not for other fighting.

Ah, okay thanks.  So returning to the original diagram, if neither green nor blue aligned or did any facing adjustments in the movement phase, then the green left file that made a flank attack in the charge phase would also make a flank attack in the melee phase?  Sorry to be asking such detailed questions, just trying to get my head around it all.

[nikgaukroger]

That is correct - if it was a flank attack in the charge phase it remains so in the combat phase if nothing else changes.

And no worries about the questions, its what the forum is for 

[lionheartrjc]

Re:  Why might you want to align when you are contacting someone in the flank:

One reason of course that you might want to align is to avoid being hit in the flank yourself!  By aligning it might prevent that.

Richard