Longer weapons getting some kind of defensive advantage

[Cheomesh]

This might have turned up in an expansion book, but basically it works like this: A guy with a 1,2 spear is assailed by a guy with a sword. Its the swordsman's turn, and he is 3 hexes away. He moves into hex 2, then 1 and strikes with his sword. Does the spearman in any splat book get a chance to ward off his opponent, keeping him at bay?

M.

[sir_pudding]

If the spearman takes a Wait maneuver he can attack the swordsman as soon as he commits.

[mlangsdorf]

Assuming that the spearman was doing something else on his last turn (say, stabbing the swordsman's ally who was in Hex 3a), there's nothing that lets the spearman stab the swordsman as the swordsman come in.

Which isn't to say that the spearman doesn't have a lot of advantages here. Assuming both combatants have a Step of 1 hex, the swordsman had to make an All-Out Attack, a Committed Attack, or a Move and Attack to close the distance. If the swordsman's attack hits, the spearman can Retreat on the defense and on his next turn, stab the swordsman at Range 2 and then step away again, forcing the swordsman to continue the cycle to stay in range. The swordsman's maneuver prevents him from retreating (or in some cases, defending at all) and often limits his accuracy. This is a really bad position for the swordsman to be in.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by mlangsdorf

If the swordsman's attack hits, the spearman can Retreat on the defense and on his next turn, stab the swordsman at Range 1 and then step away again, forcing the swordsman to continue the cycle to stay in range..

This is pretty good time for the spearman to attempt a Riposte, too.