Pole Weapons: Attack / Defense Question

[Jack O'All Trades]

Skarg, would you then allow a disengage to step forward (into engagement) to prevent giving an enemy poleweapon user who has already jabbed the charge bonus?

And would you count that as a charge in the case that the polewapon user has lower DX and so goes second?

[hcobb]

One of the ways to deal with a spear user if you are stuck with a sword is to step up carefully. Hence give up an attack for that last step.

[Skarg]

Originally Posted by Jack O'All Trades

Skarg, would you then allow a disengage to step forward (into engagement) to prevent giving an enemy poleweapon user who has already jabbed the charge bonus?

Great question.

Yes, I would allow that. If you carefully read the Disengaging rule on ITL page 106, it says Disengage is an option that allows movement in any direction. It can be used in some cases to move up to a pole weapon figure so that you start adjacent to and engage them, meaning they won't get a charge attack bonus against you.

Originally Posted by Jack O'All Trades

And would you count that as a charge in the case that the polewapon user has lower DX and so goes second?

Another great question!

Yes, I would. Though I also allow Delayed Actions and might suggest that figure try waiting to see what the pole-weapon user does before doing that, to possibly avoid getting attacked that way.

Originally Posted by hcobb

One of the ways to deal with a spear user if you are stuck with a sword is to step up carefully. Hence give up an attack for that last step.

I'd call that the Defend option, or the use of Disengage Jack just mentioned.

[Shostak]

That sounds more like an option that should be called "Extra Step" rather than "Disengage".

[hcobb]

Note that you can make two attempts to enter HTH combat per turn when engaged. One of these would be your disengage option.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by hcobb

Note that you can make two attempts to enter HTH combat per turn when engaged. One of these would be your disengage option.

That just muddies things. Option (o) Attempt HTH covers it better than Disengage does, since it is what it says on the tin: "Attempt HTH."

I agree that the rules imply that it is possible to get two HTH attempts per turn. To do so, one would have to start disengaged but within half MA of a foe, attempt to move into HTH, be repulsed, then attempt HTH again instead of attacking. However, I would not allow it since it contradicts the spirit of "one figure, one action" that permeates the game. If you allow two HTH attempts, players will want to be able to shield rush and attack in the same turn, too, arguing that the shield rush is a component of the move similar to how the HTH attempt is a component of the move.

[hcobb]

ITL 116: "If the attacking figure is engaged, he may shift onto a figure engaging him to attempt HTH, even if he is engaged with other figures as well."

ITL 106: "A figure that selects the “disengage” option stands still or shifts during its movement phase. When its turn to attack comes, instead of attacking, it moves one hex in any direction. You may move onto another figure to attempt HTH combat that same turn."

Does this mean that you can disengage against a single figure by moving into HTH during your action or not?

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by hcobb

Does this mean that you can disengage against a single figure by moving into HTH during your action or not?

It depends on where the figures are. If you are engaged to Figure A and Figure A is adjacent to Figure B and you use "Disengage" to move into HTH with Figure B, you aren't actually disengaging from anyone, so choose option (o) Attempt HTH instead.

[hcobb]

So do you move into HTH during movement (with a shift) or during the action phase (with either option n or o, your pick)?

[Shostak]

Action phase.