Assault move and terrain tests

[Wolf Guard Nostromo]

So, a player I hadn't played before explained assault moves differently and I couldn't find a reference which was completely conclusive despite having played it the same with many other people for the last few years. Its a fairly common situation, but I want to check my understanding of terrain tests for assault moves is correct:

 

Basically, the scenario was this: Entering the assault phase, a unit is spread out in the classic conga line behind a piece of terrain. The nearest models in the assaulting unit are less than 6" from the unit they declare an assault against and will not have to move through the cover to reach the opposition. However, due to the conga line and terrain some of the assaulting unit will have to pass through the cover in order to try and achieve base contact with the opposition.

 

Despite the fact that the nearest model is moved first and will not need to move through the cover to make contact, do you take the difficult terrain test before any moves take place as some of the models will need to advance through terrain in order to make contact (thus potentially preventing the whole unit from attacking)?

 

As an additional example, which we used for discussion puposes when thinking about this, if a unit attempts to surround a single model, say an IC, who is outside area terrain but close enough that surrounding him will result in at least one assaulting model having some of its base in the terrain, does the whole unit need to take a difficult terrain test and thus may also be affected by iniative drop?

[dswanick]

MOVING ASSAULTING MODELS

{snip}

Start each assault by moving a single model from the assaulting unit. The model selected must be the one closest to the enemy (going around impassable terrain, friendly models and enemy models in units not being assaulted). Move the model into contact with the nearest enemy model in the unit being assaulted, using the shortest possible route. Roll for difficult or dangerous terrain if necessary, and if the model is killed by a dangerous terrain test. start the assault again with the next closest model. If the closest model is found not to bewithin move distance to the enemy, that assault does not happen and no model is moved.

ASSAULTING THROUGH COVER

{snip}

If, followinq the rules for moving assaulting models (see page 34), any model in an assaulting unit will have to go through diff icult or dangerous terrain as part of its assault move, the unit must take the relevant terrain test before moving.

I think this covers your question.

[Venemox]

Page 34 All of the models in an assaulting unit make their assault move following the same rules as in the Movement phase...

 

So, when we look back at moving through difficult terrain, (page 14) we come across the statement: If a unit starts a move outside difficult terrain, the player must declare if he wants his unit to try to enter difficult terrain as part part of their move. If he chooses not to, the unit moves as normal but may not enter difficult terrain.

 

So, from the quote from page 34, the clsoest assaulting model MUST move in the shortest possible route. IF that takes it through terrain, the appropriate terrain test is made. For all additional models, the must move into B2B contact with an enemy model not already in B2B contact if possible. Then are then some caveats, if this is not possible, culminating with the unit MUST maintain coherency. It does not specify 'nearest' nor 'shortest possible route'. Looking back at page 14, and combining with page 34, if your closest model did not have to go through the terrain, and you did not declare they were going to do so before starting the assault move, that unit may not enter the terrain during th assault.

 

Page 36 says, if any model in the uint will ahve to go through difficult or dangerous terrrain... the unit must take the relevant terrrian test. The key words there are will have to. If you did not declare the intent to go through the terrain, not only do you not have to you're not allowed to.

 

But, hey, that's the Devil's advocate speaking to 'stir the pot' a little bit more. :D

[thade]

It means you have to plan ahead a bit, or be willing to rollback when it becomes clear that terrain is involved and you roll poorly.

 

If you choose to not assault through terrain (because you can skirt around it) you avoid the die roll, but it will still restrict (likely) what models can get into engagement range. It means models can't move through the terrain if you don't roll that die.

 

Only the first model has to be closest to closest. Subsequent models must engage a new model if they can, barring that they must get into BtB, barring that they must get to within 2" if they can, barring that they must stay in coherency. Notice the "if they can" part. If you chose to not trudge through terrain, it's very possible that they can't in many of those cases.

 

So, if you declared the charge and decided to not roll through terrain, you're fine...provided you don't subsequently roll through terrain anyway. <3

[DarkGuard]

I'm pretty sure you can't choose not to take the test as well. Models must assault the shortest distance possible, so you can't choose for some to conga around the terrain while the front two end up in combat. If the shortest distance is through terrain they must assault through terrain, and therefore you have to roll.

[thade]

Models must assault the shortest distance possible...

Are you sure? If memory serves, the only reference to "shortest distance possible" is the initial model. Otherwise your engagement/base-to-base moves would be severely restricted even in a scenario with no intervening objects/terrain. Basically the first several models to charge would start choking up models behind (as opposed to early models being able to reach in deep, around, maximizing BtB). No rulebook in hand, I can't firmly dispute it; perhaps you could cite the entry for me?

[dswanick]

Thade's memory serves :

If the enemy is within range, then the assault move continues. After moving the first model in the unit, you can move the others in any sequence you desire. There are some constraints on their movement though:

• The most important one is that each model must end its assault move in coherency with another model in its own unit that has already moved.

• If possible, the model must move into base contact with any enemy model within reach that is not already in base contact with an assaulting model.

• If there are no such models in reach, the model must move into base contact with an enemy model that is already in base contact with an assaulting model.

• If a model cannot reach any enemy models, it must try to move within 2" of one of its own unit's models that is already in base contact with an enemy.

• If this is impossible, it must simply stay in coherency.

Only the first model must move by the shortest route to the closest enemy model. All others have more flexibility in whom they engage.

[thade]

Only the first model must move by the shortest route to the closest enemy model. All others have more flexibility in whom they engage.

Thanks, dswanick.

 

If you didn't roll on Difficult/Dangerous terrain and you move around it into assault, it will - in many cases - not be possible to close with models...whereas, had you moved through terrain (and rolled well enough) it might be possible. Nothing in the assault rules compels you to make that check. If you do make the check, your assault distance is lowered uniformly; if you don't, you're still restricted in movement because you have to avoid terrain pieces. Neither seems strictly advantageous over the other in all cases, so...not too bad.

[Hiro_Protagonist]

You may not be able to dodge the terrain roll anyway.

 

Two reasons.

 

1. "Assaulting units must attempt to engage as many opposing models as possible..."

 

In my opinion this means that even if the bulk of a unit would have to go through difficult/dangerous terrain it must attempt it if it would mean getting the most models in.

 

2. The first model moved must be "the one closest to the enemy..."

 

We often think of it as "first one=shortest route" but it is actually "shortest route=first one" so if that shortest route is straight through terrain you have to go for it.

[thade]

You may not be able to dodge the terrain roll anyway.

 

Two reasons.

 

1. "Assaulting units must attempt to engage as many opposing models as possible..."

Must...with regards to what? You told your troops to charge that target but to avoid rough terrain while doing so...and they obey. They must now attempt to engage as many opposing models as possible...while avoiding that terrain. No conflict there.

 

2. The first model moved must be "the one closest to the enemy..."

 

We often think of it as "first one=shortest route" but it is actually "shortest route=first one" so if that shortest route is straight through terrain you have to go for it.

That much is definitely true.

 

Here...let me put it another way.

 

If you can move your models pre-charge, such that the closest model does not have to cross terrain in order to close, then none of your models need to press through that terrain. We like this, as it means they don't have to sweat dangerous terrain unless they want to risk it (with the advantage of getting more models into punching range).

[Hiro_Protagonist]

You may not be able to dodge the terrain roll anyway.

 

Two reasons.

 

1. "Assaulting units must attempt to engage as many opposing models as possible..."

Must...with regards to what? You told your troops to charge that target but to avoid rough terrain while doing so...and they obey. They must now attempt to engage as many opposing models as possible...while avoiding that terrain. No conflict there.

 

The conflict arises because difficult/dangerous terrain tests are dictated by the route...which is determined by which model is closest...not by our tactical skills (unfortunately).

 

Edit: @ thade - I agree with the points added in your edit. If the shortest route is through clear terrain then no tests would be demanded.