Art De La Guerre

[Mike Bennett]

[Mike Bennett]

[SteveR]

[Neep]

Goodness Mike you might mention the document has just been posted in the French rules forum here!

If Patrick is quoting the rules verbatim, it appears there may be a translation error in the English rules. It seems the exception should read "If the target enemy units are only light infantry..."
And indeed, it would seem to close the case on the OQ - though it leaves open the shortest path at LI before El.

[Mike Bennett]

[KevinD]

What a can of worms….

P 3 seems to imply that a unit in an enemy ZOC who exits the ZOC has a choice of going directly to its rear OR directly away from the threatening unit’s facing.

P 9 covers this case in this topic but turns on a word missing from the English rules.

P13 Evades and sliding to avoid difficult terrain seems wrong.

P 6 & P16 - the contradiction where striking the side and conforming to the front is allowed in P 16 during pursuit but not on P 6 in a charge is… interesting.

[Neep]

(I've replied to Kevin's thoughts on the new thread.)

[AlanCutner]

I don't understand the 'clarification' on uncontrolled charge at all. There is no allowance in the written rules for multiple targets. The rules are clear that the target is the nearest enemy in front, ie LI. But the uncontrolled charge is cancelled due gto interpenetrating friends to charge LI. So the LI don't even get to evade. Enemy behind the LI never become the target.

[Mark G Fry]

[Neep]

Secondary targets are considered in the rules. If there are no friendly units in front of the impetuous troops, they will charge their maximum distance, drive off evaders, and hit anyone else they can reach.
Then there is a specific exception if the secondary targets that might be contacted are part of a different exception.
When there is an exception for "only" LI targets when interpenetrating or bursting through friendlies, it is easily understood to refer to secondary targets even if it could be more explicit. Of course, "only" missing in the translation is a problem.
But even then the discussion here has already suggested this interpretation as being in the spirit of the rules.

[KevinD]

They don’t say “only”. They say “the target” and “the target” is clearly defined (assuming none ZOC the charger) as the “nearest enemy unit among those who are directly in front of the unit.” (P45)

[Mike Bennett]

[KevinD]

[Ramses II]

As I tried to say earlier, the initial target is the LI, with certain proviso’s that are now being discussed. The French have effectively short-circuited the charge process by assuming the enemy LI will be forced to evade, (without discussing or considering that the LI may be deemed the initial target for reasons specific to the game).

Both end up with the same result, but the French way will potentially be faster, a significant benefit in time constrained tournament games. 

[Neep]

I'm not going to defend the exact wording of the rules. In many places it could be improved. But this is a very reasonable interpretation of the intent.