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army-organisation [2025/09/18 21:39] – [DISADVANTAGES OF THE COLUMN] fantasyadminarmy-organisation [2025/09/24 18:00] (current) – [3. ARMY ORGANISATION] fantasyadmin
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-====== 3. ARMY ORGANISATION ======+{{ :3224f89b9124c8cd6f6cab2f551d6718.jpg?400|}}====== 3. ARMY ORGANISATION ======
  
 ===== COMMAND CONTROL ===== ===== COMMAND CONTROL =====
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 appear on side two of their Profile Sheet. How appear on side two of their Profile Sheet. How
 morale works and when it is tested is explained in morale works and when it is tested is explained in
-Chapter 10: Morale.+[[morale|Chapter 10: Morale]].
  
 ===== THE FUNCTION OF THE COMMAND FACTOR ===== ===== THE FUNCTION OF THE COMMAND FACTOR =====
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 Units in a brigade enjoy the following advantages: Units in a brigade enjoy the following advantages:
-  - They do not need to take an order test and will obey every order they are given, (see Chapter 5: Orders)+  - They do not need to take an order test and will obey every order they are given, ([[orders|see Chapter 5: Orders]])
   - The tight formation requirements of the brigade structure help to improve the morale status of the units involved. See the morale modifiers: 'Character within...' and 'Each unengaged friendly/elven/dwarf unit within etc.   - The tight formation requirements of the brigade structure help to improve the morale status of the units involved. See the morale modifiers: 'Character within...' and 'Each unengaged friendly/elven/dwarf unit within etc.
  
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 but only if that character possesses the relevant skill but only if that character possesses the relevant skill
 of Animal Control (See Direct Control below and of Animal Control (See Direct Control below and
-Chapter 2: Creating an Army). This reflects the feral+[[creating-an-army|Chapter 2: Creating an Army]]). This reflects the feral
 instinct of animals and their inability to instinct of animals and their inability to
 comprehend complex orders. comprehend complex orders.
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 enjoys the following benefits: enjoys the following benefits:
  
-  - It does not need to take an order test and will obey every order it is given. (See Chapter 5: Orders Tests)+  - It does not need to take an order test and will obey every order it is given. ([[orders|See Chapter 5: Orders Tests]])
   - The character's MF becomes a modifier for the unit's morale - improving its chances of passing Morale Tests and consequently increasing its combat effectiveness.   - The character's MF becomes a modifier for the unit's morale - improving its chances of passing Morale Tests and consequently increasing its combat effectiveness.
   - This is the only way animal units can be led on the battlefield and even then the character leading them must have the relevant skill of Animal Control.   - This is the only way animal units can be led on the battlefield and even then the character leading them must have the relevant skill of Animal Control.
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 according to their orders according to their orders
  
-RACIAL RESTRICTIONS ON LEADERSHIP+===== RACIAL RESTRICTIONS ON LEADERSHIP ===== 
 Many races suffer from prejudices that mean they Many races suffer from prejudices that mean they
 can only be commanded by characters who belong to can only be commanded by characters who belong to
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 Units may change formation any number of times Units may change formation any number of times
 during the course of a battle. How they change during the course of a battle. How they change
-formation is detailed in Chapter 6: Movement. The+formation is detailed in [[movement|Chapter 6: Movement]]. The
 different formations soldiers can adopt and the different formations soldiers can adopt and the
 advantages and disadvantages of each one are advantages and disadvantages of each one are
 detailed below. detailed below.
  
-===== RANKS AND FILES =====+==== RANKS AND FILES ====
  
 Before you read the descriptions of the different Before you read the descriptions of the different
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 unit to the back. unit to the back.
  
-===== CLOSE AND OPEN ORDER TROOPS =====+==== CLOSE AND OPEN ORDER TROOPS ====
  
 Most regiments in **FANTASY WARLORD** fight in close Most regiments in **FANTASY WARLORD** fight in close
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 takes up. These spaces should be the width of half a takes up. These spaces should be the width of half a
 close order base. close order base.
 +
 +{{ :close-order.jpg?400 |}}
  
 Commanders should note that for a unit to move Commanders should note that for a unit to move
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 formation in either close or open order. formation in either close or open order.
  
-===== COLUMN =====+==== COLUMN ====
  
 This is the formation used by troops to move onto This is the formation used by troops to move onto
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 ranks of three figures with the odd two figures ranks of three figures with the odd two figures
 bringing up the rear. bringing up the rear.
 +
 +{{ :column.jpg?400 |}}
  
 The advantages of the column: The advantages of the column:
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   -  If properly organised, a unit in column can pass through most gates, gaps in walls, hedges or fences, or cross a narrow bridge without having to Change Formation.   -  If properly organised, a unit in column can pass through most gates, gaps in walls, hedges or fences, or cross a narrow bridge without having to Change Formation.
  
-===== DISADVANTAGES OF THE COLUMN =====+=== DISADVANTAGES OF THE COLUMN ===
  
 Columns are ineffective fighting formations. A column's small frontage means that in combat a unit will only have a few of its troops in contact with the enemy in the first round of combat. The unit will also have long flanks, that may be exposed to attack. A unit attacked in the flank not only suffers heavy Columns are ineffective fighting formations. A column's small frontage means that in combat a unit will only have a few of its troops in contact with the enemy in the first round of combat. The unit will also have long flanks, that may be exposed to attack. A unit attacked in the flank not only suffers heavy
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 receive a+1 modifier for each rank of the target. receive a+1 modifier for each rank of the target.
  
-===== LINE =====+==== LINE ====
  
 The line is the standard fighting formation for The line is the standard fighting formation for
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 pictures below you can see three types of line. pictures below you can see three types of line.
    
 +{{ :line.jpg?400 |}}
 +
 The orcs are standing in a single rank. This The orcs are standing in a single rank. This
 formation allows the maximum number of orcs to formation allows the maximum number of orcs to
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 maximum of five for each rank in their unit. This modifier reflects the added impetus a deep maximum of five for each rank in their unit. This modifier reflects the added impetus a deep
 formation possesses when it crashes into an enemy. formation possesses when it crashes into an enemy.
 +
 +{{ :line-2.jpg?400 |}}
  
 The Caryllian soldiers are formed into a line with The Caryllian soldiers are formed into a line with
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 the firer's chance of inflicting casualties increases the firer's chance of inflicting casualties increases
 for each rank the target possesses. for each rank the target possesses.
 +
 +{{ :line-3.jpg?400 |}}
  
 The dwarfs are formed in three ranks of five The dwarfs are formed in three ranks of five
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 individual commander to decide which type of line individual commander to decide which type of line
 formation will best suit his troops and battle plan. formation will best suit his troops and battle plan.
 +
 +==== HEDGEHOG ====
 +
 +Infantry units can form a formation known as the
 +hedgehog. The hedgehog is a useful formation to
 +adopt if you are uncertain from which direction your
 +unit will be attacked, if your unit is cut off behind
 +enemy lines, or if enemy cavalry are charging or
 +threatening to charge.
 +
 +The advantage of the Hedgehog, is that it has no
 +flanks and no rear for the enemy to attack. Its
 +disadvantage is that when a unit is in a hedgehog, it
 +cannot be moved until it has changed formation to
 +either Line or Column. As it is stationary, it is also a
 +prime target for enemy missile fire. (See the Missile
 +Fire Modifiers on the Profile Sheet).
 +
 +The best troops to employ this formation are those
 +armed with polearms, spears or pikes. This is
 +because their special rank bonuses help to
 +compensate the Hedgehog's narrow frontages in
 +combat.
 +
 +The reason for this formation's name becomes
 +clear when you view the illustration below. In this
 +picture the troops are arranged in a block so their
 +spears (the hedgehog's prickles) all point outwards,
 +covering every direction.
 +
 +{{ :hedgehog.jpg?400 |}}
 +
 +==== CIRCLE ====
 +
 +The circle or 'Cantabrian Circle' as it was known in
 +the ancient world, is a formation employed solely by
 +mounted troops armed with missile weapons. The
 +formation adopted is a large ring, with all the figures
 +galloping in the same direction. As each figure
 +passes a given point it fires at the enemy and then
 +rides away. Of course, on the wargames table, none
 +of the figures actually move and the entire unit fires
 +in phase eight of the game turn. Against large units,
 +the cavalry form a circle in front of or to one side of
 +the target and fire outwards. Against small units, the
 +cavalry form a circle around the target and fire
 +inwards.
 +
 +{{ :circle.jpg?400 |}}
 +
 +The advantages of the Circle are that as well as the
 +entire unit being able to fire, the regiment counts as
 +only one rank and a moving target, if the enemy
 +return fire. As a result, the effectiveness of the enemy
 +counter fire will be greatly reduced.
 +
 +The Circle's disadvantage is that cavalry must be
 +ordered to Change Formation to form it and whilst
 +in this formation, they cannot move round the
 +battlefield. They must be ordered to Change
 +Formation again to break the circle, and this can be a
 +dangerous manoeuvre if the enemy is within charge
 +range. In addition if a circle is hit by a charging
 +enemy, on the first round of combat the troops in the
 +circle lose, they automatically rout.
 +
 +A circle is usually formed on the battlefield by
 +using individual riders, but if you are unable to do
 +this because your figures are on multibases, just
 +leave a few gaps as per the example above. This allows
 +the unit to occupy the correct area for the number of
 +figures involved
 +
 +===== CHARACTERS, STANDARD BEARERS AND MUSICIANS =====
 +
 +If you are the proud owner of any standard bearers
 +you should know it is normal military practice to
 +place them at the head of columns and in the centre
 +of the front rank or at one end of line formations. For
 +the purposes of these rules standard bearers and
 +musicians are presumed to be armed with the same
 +weapons as the other figures in their unit.
 +
 +When a character is leading a unit and has moved
 +into base-to-base contact with it, he or she must be
 +placed in the centre of the front rank. If this is
 +impossible, then the character should be placed at
 +either end of the front rank. To move the character to
 +one of these positions once he or she has reached the
 +unit costs none of his or her movement allowance.
 +Characters are of course armed with whatever their
 +figure has been equipped with and fight separately
 +from the unit.
 +
 +===== DISORDERED UNITS =====
 +
 +Sometimes, during the course of a battle a unit may
 +become disordered. No units are ever disordered at
 +the start of a battle, unless a scenario actually states
 +they are. Disordered units retain their formation but
 +stop functioning at full efficiency. A unit (but never
 +characters) becomes disordered when any of the
 +following events occur:
 +  * If it is charged and brought to combat while reforming, changing or breaking formation.
 +  * If it is charged by a monster.
 +  * If it conducts a pursuit, rout or evade move.
 +  * If it charges, counter-charges or goes into Uncontrolled Advance and fails to contact the enemy on the same turn.
 +  * If it is attacked in the flank or rear.
 +  * If it is pushed back in combat but is unable to move the necessary pushback distance.
 +  * If a unit charges, counter-charges or goes into Uncontrolled Advance through or into a ford.
 +  * If a close order unit charges, counter-charges or goes into Uncontrolled Advance in a wood, jungle, fen or swamp.
 +  * If an open order unit charges, counter charges or goes into Uncontrolled Advance in a jungle or swamp.
 +
 +Disordered units must be marked with a
 +Disordered counter. Disordered units lose all rank
 +bonuses when firing or in combat and no longer
 +enjoy any benefits they may have had from the reach
 +of their weapons. However, they still suffer all
 +penalties for the number of ranks in their formation
 +when the enemy fires on them. Troops attacking a
 +disordered enemy unit gain the 'Attacking a
 +disordered enemy' combat modifier.
 +
 +Disordered units can receive orders and fire.
 +However because of the disadvantages listed above,
 +players are advised to reform disordered units as
 +soon as possible, otherwise they become prime
 +targets for the enemy and tend to sustain heavy
 +casualties in combat.
 +
 +To reform a disordered unit players must give
 +them the order Reform, in phase three of any
 +subsequent game turn. The order Reform consumes
 +one entire movement turn.
 +
 +===== MONSTERS AND DISORDER =====
 +
 +Monsters can also become disordered and in this
 +case the disorder represents their fear and
 +confusion. Monsters become disordered under the
 +following circumstances:
 + 
 +  * If they are charged by another monster.
 +  * If they conduct a pursuit or rout move.
 +  * If they are attacked in the rear.
 +  * If they are pushed back in combat but are unable to move the necessary pushback distance.
 +
 +Disordered monsters must be marked with a
 +Disordered counter. Enemy forces attacking a
 +disordered monster gain the 'Attacking a disordered
 +enemy' combat modifier.
 +
 +Disordered monsters can receive orders and fire.
 +However, because of the disadvantage listed above,
 +players are advised to reform them as soon as
 +possible, otherwise they become prime target for the
 +enemy and suffer an increased chance of being
 +wounded.
 +
 +To reform a disordered monster players must give
 +it the order Reform, in phase three of any subsequent
 +game turn. The order Reform consumes one entire
 +movement phase.
 +
 +----
 +
 +[[into-battle|CHAPTER 4. INTO BATTLE]]
army-organisation.1758224360.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/09/18 21:39 by fantasyadmin

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