Consolidating in melee question

[Custodian Athiair]

Hopefully, this shouldn't take too long to answer. But I remember when 8th was being talked about on Warhammer Community they spoke about being able to finish a melee combat, and then consolidate into another unit for the next turn's fighting.

 

This game up in a recent game in store for me, but we weren't bothered to check the rulebook at the time so just said it couldn't be done and moved on. Upon checking said rulebook on consolidation it mentions can move 3'' provided it's in the direction of the nearest enemy. It doesn't state whether you can or can't enter into the 1'' range whereby you are now in "combat".

 

So what is the ruling? Cause it was spoken about as a way for CC focused armies to really chew up a gunline without suffering because of it. So I'm curious as to its legitimacy.

 

Thanks in advance from you rule experts!

[TheWolfLord]

Yes you can pile in and consolidate within 1" of an enemy unit.

 

The rules for movement and charging both state that you cannot move within 1" of any enemy unit (unless you declared a charge against that unit).

 

The rules for pile in and consolidate have no restrictions other than forcing you to move in the direction of the nearest enemy model. Therefore there's no rule stopping you from moving within 1" of that unit.

[Ciler]

I also believe that your understanding is correct. One further argument, based on this entry from the designer's FAQ (v 1.1)

 

Q: If a unit starts the Fight phase with no enemy units
within 1", but then enemy units that have been chosen
to fight move to within 1" of it as a result of their pile-in
or consolidation moves, can that unit then be chosen to
fight when it is your turn to choose a unit?
A: Yes.
Note, however, that units can only be chosen to fight once
per phase.

Clearly, it is possible for a unit to move within 1" of another unit as the result of a pile-in or consolidation.

 

That's to be kept in mind, because it means your opponent can strike back : Say your unit of assult marines destroys your opponent pox walkers and consolidates to end up less than 1" from his nurgle sorcerer, that sorcerer is now within 1" of you and can now fight (unless he already fought this turn).

 

So if you consolidate in another unit, make sure that either :

•  they have already fought
• they will not do too much damage to your own unit.

[Custodian Athiair]

 

I also believe that your understanding is correct. One further argument, based on this entry from the designer's FAQ (v 1.1)

 

Q: If a unit starts the Fight phase with no enemy units

within 1", but then enemy units that have been chosen

to fight move to within 1" of it as a result of their pile-in

or consolidation moves, can that unit then be chosen to

fight when it is your turn to choose a unit?

A: Yes.

Note, however, that units can only be chosen to fight once

per phase.

Clearly, it is possible for a unit to move within 1" of another unit as the result of a pile-in or consolidation.

 

That's to be kept in mind, because it means your opponent can strike back : Say your unit of assult marines destroys your opponent pox walkers and consolidates to end up less than 1" from his nurgle sorcerer, that sorcerer is now within 1" of you and can now fight (unless he already fought this turn).

 

So if you consolidate in another unit, make sure that either :

•  they have already fought
• they will not do too much damage to your own unit.

 

 

Thanks for that clarification in terms of being punched back in the face. 

 

Question resolved :D