Flank Marching

[lionheartrjc]

The odds on flank marches arriving seems far too low to make them a viable option.  My suggestion is

Keep 9.10 A 3.4.1 the same.  A flank march of Mounted Flexibles or SuGs only needs 1 x RED card.
Change 9.10 A 3.4.2.  A flank march of all Mounted troops needs 1 x RED card and 1 x YELLOW or better.
Change 9.10 A 3.4.3.  A flank march with other troops needs 2 x RED card.

The chance of a competent general suceeding on the first turn with other troops would still be less than 2% (by my reckoning).  A talented general, about 7.5%. 
Because players tend to hoard cards particularly in the first few turns, it can be difficult to accumulate the cards to arrive.

Any opinions?

[nikgaukroger]

General consensus does appear to be that flank marching is a bit of a long shot used in desperation almost - so well worth thinking about IMO.

[Dru]

agreed.

Flexible flank marches have hurt me badly though. Damn lucky first turn red cards...!

But yeah, flank marches are rarely worth the investment otherwise.

[mad lemmey]

And flank marches cost in lowering your break point, as it's effectively nulls your units until they arrive

[stuuk]

I've used them only twice, never turned up and now only use them as a last resort - they are just too risky.
So yes, I don't consider them viable right now.

[Robin]

Agree with first post. Could make the game even more interesting.

[Simon Meg-Meister]

My thinking on these is they should be a reasonably common tactic for armies that enveloped, but a rare event for other armies. Hence the system that makes the odds vastly different for flexible mtd and skirmishers than anything else. In competitions not many armies will be set up for any other type of flank I suspect. The rest of them more for refights of non-comp games.

Odds of getting a flank march on is pretty high with Flexibles and a talented general.  My Huns, Pathians and Numidians do it all the time.  I've only once tried one needing two red cards.  Sassanid cavalry did arrive in the end.  And don't forget it tends to to tie up your opponent hoarding red cards too. A 1 SuG flank march with a Mediocre general is quite a fun bluff.

I suspect people make too little use of ambush cards on secure flanks.  That is the best way to cause flank trouble with heavier troops I find.  Forested flank with some heavies in the forest appearing turn one can be rather fun.  Worked great with legionaries as even if they get caught in their they just spread out and go loose. 

Si