Defending after moving

[Skarg]

Yes, you can Defend after moving 1/2 MA. It was clear in the original rules (see original Wizard p.4 and Advanced Melee p.4, Changing Options).

The new rules just made it confusing by basing its version of the Options list on the original Melee one (instead of the more informatively detailed Advanced Melee one), and by cutting the nice clear lists of what options are available to people who move how far, which explicitly listed Defend, Dodge, Attack and Drop as available to figures moving 1/2 MA or less as the only requirement. In response to a (too dense) deluge of cautions from experienced players, Steve indicated he didn't understand the confusion, not that he was trying to change the rules because of some reason to limit Defend to people who move 1 hex or less.

The Options list is incapable of describing accurately the combinations of movement and options available in one list, because really there are two phases:

During Movement, if you are engaged when it is your time to move, you can only stay put or shift one hex. Otherwise you can move up to full MA. If you move over 1/2 MA, you won't be able to do anything else.

During Action, you can perform any action (that makes sense due to current circumstances) and the distance you actually moved during Movement.