Tactical Decision Making

[El' Jocko]

It seems we spend most of our time in spirited discussion of the rules, subsequent interpretations, and of course Phil Barker's transgressions against clear understanding. I thought it might be entertaining to try something else.

Here's a tactical situation you may come across now and then. I was wondering what ideas players have for handling it. What would you do, and why?

Green Army:
Elements A & B are Cavalry.
Element C is a Psiloi.

Orange Army:
Elements X & Y are Cavalry.

1. Elements A/X and B/Y are in mutual ZOC.
2. Element C is 80 mm away from element X, just too far to reach in a single move.
3. Assume that there are no other elements that might affect the situation.

It is Green's bound. You have two PIPs available.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jsheriff/DBA1.gif

[imported_The Paper General]

Interesting situation. I would keep A & B in zonal contact and position C behind X. Next turn, C into contact with the rear of X, and advance A & B into contact with X & Y. Pretty boring, and predictable, but during X & Y's turn, one or both of his elements must react to the threat in their rear(thus exposing themselves to attack by A & B) if they don't react X is surrounded.
Mind you, with a majority of the crowd in dbaol, C would probably not be placed parallel to X's rear, but on an angle, thus if a recoil occurs...voila butt of death.
Alexander aka Saxon Dog

[Pozanias]

Originally posted by Saxon Dog:
Interesting situation. I would keep A & B in zonal contact and position C behind X. Next turn, C into contact with the rear of X, and advance A & B into contact with X & Y.Hmmmm. I think I would basically agree with Saxon Dog on this, but with one caveat -- C should align it's front edge at least 41mm from X (in otherwords C should not ZOC X). Otherwise in Yellow's turn, X can hit C and be pretty happy with a one on one Cv vs. Ps match-up.

C is more dangerous behind XY then to the flank of X. In bound 2, C can either contact X's rear edge OR position it's front edge less than 30mm behind both X and Y (not providing combat support -- but rather providing a DIB against both elements).

If C could sneak any part of it's front edge behind X in bound 1, then I would make that move and push AB into contact -- but it doesn't look like this would be possible.

If I didn't hit XY with AB, then I would at least push them forward 25mm so that whatever maneouevering done with C wouldn't be spoiled by XY simply moving foward out of C's range.

Mark

[ May 21, 2003, 12:01: Message edited by: Pozanias ]

[CT Yankee]

Thank you for this posting El' Jocko. This is much more entertaining than rules debates.

My answer to your question somewhat depends on the game situation. If I'm up 3-1, for instance, I'd attack with A+B and hope for some good dice results. If I'm down 1-3 I'd do as Mark has suggested (definitely keeping C over 40mm distant - don't want to give X the chance to turn and hit Ps in the open).

Taken strictly as presented, though, with no other considerations, I'd still attack with A+B and put C in position to assist on the following turn (slightly behind x's rear edge and at least 40mm back from his edgeline) - call me impetuous.

[Pozanias]

Originally posted by CT Yankee:

Taken strictly as presented, though, with no other considerations, I'd still attack with A+B and put C in position to assist on the following turn (slightly behind x's rear edge and at least 40mm back from his edgeline) - call me impetuous. If you attack, you have to be more careful of where C gets positioned. It needs to be in striking range, but also outside of 40mm of X and also of where X would be if it recoiled.

Considering that X will probably retire to it's rear in yellow's bound, I wonder if the best place to put C would be perpendicular to X, and with it's front right corner 60 - 70 mm behind X's front right corner. If X stays where it is, C can hit it. C will not ZOC X (even if you attack and X is recoiled). And if X retires 100mm, C can still hit it in the flank.

Depending exactly where C could end up, you might not want to attack.

[ May 21, 2003, 12:31: Message edited by: Pozanias ]

[imported_Lee Shackelford]

A question : is it possibe to move C so its ZOC is just behind X and move AB as close as possible without contacting?

If an element is in ZOC, it can retreat straight back........but while it is pulling straight back, is it allowed to ENTER another element's ZOC and cross it?

This is why I was thinking to move C so X is not in its ZOC, but if tried retreating, would enter the ZOC of C.

[David Kuijt]

Originally posted by Lee Shackelford:

If an element is in ZOC, it can retreat straight back........but while it is pulling straight back, is it allowed to ENTER another element's ZOC and cross it?
Certainly -- there is no restriction on entering new enemy ZOCs as long as you're moving straight backwards.

[imported_Lee Shackelford]

Yeah, I see, even though moving perpendicular to C's ZOC, they'd still be moving straight back...from their start position.

Thanks

Lee

[ May 26, 2003, 02:35: Message edited by: Lee Shackelford ]

[Darren Buxbaum]

I think that I would try this: I would move A 10mm to it's rear (getting A from X's ZOC) and try to slide to the flank of X. If I don't have enough movement (4" in 15mm), then I can ZOC X with A. Then I would move C for support of A to provide an overlap if combat ensues. I would not try to ZOC X with C alone since X already is ZOC'ed by A. This would allow X to chose which element he could close with and I would choose a QK on Ps with Cv over the shoving match with A. The only way that X can avoid a flank by CA is by moving straight backwards (that is if X can move across C's ZOC too) and the two elements (A&C) should be able catch on the next turn. If the two elements can close on this bound, then a no recoil situation is created and X can be destroyed (+3 AC vs +2 X). If AC rolls well, then their next bound can move into Y's flank with support of B.

Cheers,
Darren