Re: [Combat Question] When are you considered to be engaged in melee?
 

Classic Adv Melee page 3 makes it clear that you can only step then disengage, no half or full move. (This is less clear in Legacy, but still you get no action (such as Disengage) after moving more than 1/2 MA.)

Re: [Combat Question] When are you considered to be engaged in melee?
 

I see what you mean by the wording, but does this then mean a character can't defend or attack after moving up to half MA when originally Disengaged?

Scenario 1:
A character moves half MA to engage one enemy originally intending to attack, but during the movement phase another enemy charges him with a polearm. The player is allowed to change options per p.102 in the Start of List of Options.

Scenario 2:
A character moves half MA during the movement phase but is not engaged after that character's movement - initial choice is the option to Dodge. In the same turn's movement phase an enemy engages. By exact wording, the character didn't shift or stand still so cannot choose to attack or defend.

Re: [Combat Question] When are you considered to be engaged in melee?
 

And there's the conundrum! According to the rules, we can't use Dodge if engaged, and yet one can becomes engaged after declaring Dodge. This is why SJ had to add the rule that one could always change options to meet changing conditions as long as you hadn't moved too far for the new option (added between the first edition of Melee and the first edition of Wizard), although his great and clear paragraph about that got left out of Legacy ITL -- surely by accident.

Actually you can take Attack or Defend upon moving 1/2 MA, you just can't move more than 1/2 MA.

Re: [Combat Question] When are you considered to be engaged in melee?
 

Good to know (even the history of it). But are the options limited to attack and defend only (with the half movement) or are there options players can choose for a full movement?

I've never used full MA except to maneuver behind an opponent.

ya know 'never retreat, never surrender' and be sure to save the game before the big battle so you can reload at that point.

Re: [Combat Question] When are you considered to be engaged in melee?
 

Full movement (over half) toward your foe has some great tactical uses. Here are some:

- to engage a foe carrying a pole arm that has gone over half MA. Thus preventing him from charging next turn.

- to close the distance with a very high DX archer that is likely to hit you even when you dodge. At full MA, you will give him half as many chances to put arrows in you.

- to engage an archer that shoots twice a turn. This way he will not get his second shot.

Re: [Combat Question] When are you considered to be engaged in melee?
 

Engaging the archers is a good use of full MA. Sometimes, with respect to an entire PC group, it simply helps to engage one of your foes which limits his options while ensuring more options available for your friends. The tank of the group usually does that.