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| MELEE IN COLUMN http://www.wargame.ch/board/acwgc/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=24064 |
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| Author: | Richard Coyne [ Wed Dec 17, 2025 10:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | MELEE IN COLUMN |
GREETINGS ALL I would like to clear up a gray area in this system. I believe Most play where you cannot Melee in column except in towns or crossing bridges. Is this the Standard? TOWNS 1. For me town hexes are Pretty clear if the hex info your unit is and the opponent hex are both town hexes you can melee in column. 2. If only 1 side either attacker or defender is in a Town hex and the other is not, I would say melee in column is possible either INTO a town or out of a town hex. WHAT ARE THE THOUGHTS ON THESE POINTS? BRIDGES 1. Since you must be in Column to cross a bridge over a creek you may Melee across the Bridge hex side. That's clear. 2. However here is where I am looking for clarity. The enemy sets up 1 hex back from the Bridge and as I cross my movement goes to zero not allowing a change to battleline in the ensuing Melee segment even though the Game steps to the hex as a possible Melee is it allowed? I have often wondered that the standard should be that IF the hex your Column is in has the bridge hex side adjoining it AND you just crossed the Bridge MELEE in Column should be allowed. THOUGHTS? |
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| Author: | Blake [ Wed Dec 17, 2025 11:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: MELEE IN COLUMN |
You will get a lot of different opinions on this issue. Just to clarify the basics... Melee in Column is always allowed in all games unless the players agree beforehand to disallow it. That is a common misunderstanding people have. The intent behind the No Melee in Column House Rule is to avoid situations which more often occur in Turn-Based Games (games without a separate Melee Phase at the end). In these style of games a person can utilize Melee in Column with devastating effect. But in Phased-Based Games (with a separate Melee Phase) this isn't a real problem. Without any data to back it up, I would guess that 98% or more of Club Games are done using the Phased-Based style of gameplay in 2025. Disallowing Melee in Column is a relic of the old days when Turn-Based Play was more common. Also you find it a popular rule amongst those who adamantly insist it is an ahistorical tactic and do not wish to see it utilized at all. Why is Meleeing in Column rarely used in general play? Mostly it is because meleeing in column is never a winning tactic for anyone in the grand scheme of things. It's only useful in unique and odd situations involving town, bridges, and creeks. In those instances, situtations like you asked about become very common and it opens a pandora's box of issues as to what is and isn't allowed. It is simply easier to just allow Melee in Column in Phased-Based Games rather than to try and think of and rule upon all possible Melee "what-ifs" beforehand. Therefore, unless you and your opponent agreed beforehand to disallow Melee in Column... all your questions are a moot point. If you did agree to not Melee in Column, then you have to talk to your opponent and clarify what you both meant by No Melee in Column so you are both on the same page. Or, if you are just asking in a general sense... Melee in Column in towns is the best tactic to use for a lot of reasons. The only alternative way to dislodge a person from a large town is to move into line and hope they rout from fire combat. The advantage is totally with the defenders in this case. Setting up a defensive line one hex away from a creek or bridge crossing to "freeze" you opponent in column is a tricky/gamey tactic which can only be countered by a melee in column. You literally have no alternative aside from firing on them from your side of the creek and routing them away over time. For my money, the best option is to always allow Melee in Column as you can avoid any disagreements down the road about the myriad of possible "what ifs" involving the rule's implementation. |
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| Author: | Richard Coyne [ Wed Dec 17, 2025 1:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: MELEE IN COLUMN |
Thank You Blake |
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| Author: | loudscott [ Wed Dec 17, 2025 4:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: MELEE IN COLUMN |
I've always wondered why it was a "house" rule. Thanks for clarifying Blake. Seems the best policy is to just allow it. |
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