Alignment for charge combat and melee

[Dirkhrod]

Hi guys, a few questions about aligning when charging and in combat.

CASE 1 (figure 1)

Units A and B pursue into unit C.


My interpretation is that A2 will fight C1, A3 vs C2 and B1 vs C3. However, my opponent claimed he saw no reason why C2 could not hit against B1, C3 against B2 and C1 against A3. I could not offer a strong argument why not, except that it would be against common sense for B2 to fight and for A2 not to fight, as no file could fight against more than 1 file to the same direction (this is impact, let's ignore support).

Is this correct ? What would be the correct pairing for the fights in this situation ? Also imagine we are playing Magna and A1, C1 and B3 do not exist. In that case, if C2 fights against B1 and C3 against B2, unit A would not be able to fight at all (this is why I am of the opinion C2 must fight A3 and C3 must fight B1. What would be the solution here ?




CASE 2




Unit A and unit C are fighting in combat. Next charge phase, unit B is charging into unit C. In the charge phase, I assume B1 fights against C3.
However when combat comes, how do the files fight, since C1, C2 and C3 were already engaged with A1, A2 and A3 respectively ?

Is unit B (base B1 specifically) confined to a support role for A3 or does A1 become support for A2 vs C1, with A3 fighting C2 and B1 fighting C3 since they fought like that during the charge phase ?
How is this situation being handled ?

Many Thanks,
Dan

[lionheartrjc]

Hi Dan,

Page 141 of the rules.

Case 1:

It is important to understand who is the active player.  They will choose one of their files for the combat.  If the non-active player then has more than one file in frontal contact they may choose which file fights back. 

So if you are the active player and choose file A2, the defender has to choose C1 to fight.  They will then choose a file.  If they choose C2, you can choose either A3 or B1.  If you choose B1 then B2 must fight C3.  If you choose A3, you can then choose either B1 or B2 to fight C3.

The only thing you cannot do is choose a file to reduce the overall number of files fighting.  So if you choose A3 and they choose C1, and they then choose C3 for the next combat you cannot choose B1, you have to choose B2, thus leaving C2 to fight B1.  (Hope that makes sense!).

Case 2:

In the charge phase B1 must fight C3, no other option exists.  When it comes to melee combat the same rules as case 1 apply.

Richard

[LawrenceG]

In case 2, if B1 fights C3 in melee is B2 a supporting file?

Are supporting files included in the count for "choice cannot reduce the number of files fighting"?

[lionheartrjc]

In case 2, if B1 fights C3 in melee is B2 a supporting file?

Are supporting files included in the count for "choice cannot reduce the number of files fighting"?

No.

My wording was a summary of the intent behind the rules and not taken from the rulebook itself.