The 2020 MeG Compendium ... your input welcome

[AntiokosIII]

My input is to keep changes few and minor. For example, flank charges are a bit too easy, but if a change makes it trickier to decide if it can be done, I am against a change. Break offs seem wrong at present, but if there is a change it should apply to all troop types and be simple. Simplicity of rules with depth of play is what makes this the best Ancients game ever. Eyes on the prize!

[craig.w]

I've seen and done enough flank charges that do nothing that I'd rather keep the rules as is than change to calculating half bases or using the back edge.

One thing about flank charges that doesn't seem right to me is that you can get just a fraction behind the front line, and wheel slightly so that there is only a corner contact, making it harder to then flank charge the flanker. The unit flank charging gets the best of both worlds, fights on a flank but doesn't expose his own flank.

If a unit is in corner to corner contact only (ie supporting file), it can only fight by doing a 90 degree wheel. Why not 'align' the rules by making chargers do the same, instead of letting them sit at 45 degrees. It will probably decrease the number of flank charges.

[Simon Meg-Meister]

My input is to keep changes few and minor. For example, flank charges are a bit too easy, but if a change makes it trickier to decide if it can be done, I am against a change. Break offs seem wrong at present, but if there is a change it should apply to all troop types and be simple. Simplicity of rules with depth of play is what makes this the best Ancients game ever. Eyes on the prize!

This is certainly the top priority. 
Indeed the grand total is half a page of A4 so far.

I think we have simple solutions to flank charges, break offs and making Bw armies (mounted and foot) a bit more viable.
No new big ideas - storing any that come up for 2025. The rest is safe little tweaks.

S

[Dru]

One thing about flank charges that doesn't seem right to me is that you can get just a fraction behind the front line, and wheel slightly so that there is only a corner contact, making it harder to then flank charge the flanker. The unit flank charging gets the best of both worlds, fights on a flank but doesn't expose his own flank.

If a unit is in corner to corner contact only (ie supporting file), it can only fight by doing a 90 degree wheel. Why not 'align' the rules by making chargers do the same, instead of letting them sit at 45 degrees. It will probably decrease the number of flank charges.

Yeah this has always stuck out at me as a bit of the rules that feels very gamey and too much reward for not enough risk.

[badhabum]

In real life, many flank charges were successful because the common troopers were to busy looking forward that they did not see what was coming to hit them.

Units were much less maneuverable than in the game

So I am happy as it is now. Players should watch their flanks and cover them, not ask for too many changes.

[rayfredjohn]

In real life, many flank charges were successful because the common troopers were to busy looking forward that they did not see what was coming to hit them.

Units were much less maneuverable than in the game

So I am happy as it is now. Players should watch their flanks and cover them, not ask for too many changes.

I think I agree

[Dru]

Break offs just seem wrong.

Consider something like:
- Continue facing towards the enemy, count movement as -1 BW when breaking off AND a KaB test regardless (change QRS)
- Finish facing away from enemy, it is as currently written.

[badhabum]

Are  they that many breakoff ?

Cavalry should be able to do it.

[badhabum]

I am not that happy with the current "shieldwall" ;

It cancels the effect of shove and shatter and is cheap .My problem lies with the fact that a shieldwall is effective even when you only got one rank ( vs shove and shatter ). That means it will always cancel shove and shatter .  I would make it effective if in 2 ranks minimum .

[nikgaukroger]

Or change the points if too cheap?

[Simon Meg-Meister]

Not far of having the master list of tweaks for the compendium.
Nothing momentous.  More a cleaning up and KISS of 2019.
After Britcon I will put them out for comment.

S

[daveparish]

Can I come back to break offs again? Last night I had a unit of heavy foot into my opponents archers. They were probably going to collapse next turn (down to 4 out of six, unprotected etc) and so he broke them off and took a yellow KaB  using F4 (Break Off from equal speed opponent). I then couldn't reach them because of other units so he saved the archers. I would have lost massively anyway so it didn't affect the outcome and it was a good game - but that particular manoeuvre did leave a bad taste. Are there any historical examples of archers (or similar infantry) being able to disentangle themselves from heavier foot who are pressing them hard? It just doesn't feel right to me.

In fact the main use I've seen for F4 is exactly this - as a Get Out of Jail Free card for damaged units.

I suggest that F4 should only apply to Cavalry breaking off. This seems a fairly simple change, although I can think of other ways to go
(at the other extreme just delete F4)

all the best

Dave P

[Simon Meg-Meister]

Thanks Dave.

I am thinking of changing Break Offs to be only for troops that are faster and a -1BW distance.

Means FoF bowmen could escape in your scenario.
Means Cv cannot get out of range of Cataphracts follow up charge.
Means all breaking off from bows stay in range.

Thoughts welcome.

Si

[AntiokosIII]

I like this solution. It's simple and comprehensive.

ARE there any FoF bowmen? Good troop type if there is!

[nikgaukroger]

ARE there any FoF bowmen? Good troop type if there is!

Nubian