Rulebook & Manual

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====== 9. COMBAT ======

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**Hand-to-hand combat occurs when two opposing
units, characters, monsters or any combination
there of, come into base-to-base contact with each
other. No figure may fight more than once in a turn.**

Units, characters and monsters can only initiate
such combat by charging at the enemy or through
pushbacks and pursuit moves. If two units on
opposing sides, receive orders to advance at normal
speed and these orders will result in them contacting
each other, they will stop 5 cm from each other, or
remain stationary, if the space between them is
already 5 cm or less at the start of the turn.

==== WEAPON TYPES ====

Players should note there are variations between
the types of weapon each race can use and how
effective they are with the same weapon. If a race
does not have a particular weapon (or similar
weapon) listed in the Basic Firing Percentage Chart
on its Profile Sheet, it cannot use that weapon.
For instance, only dwarfs, high elves and humans
can use pikes. This is because pikemen require
intensive training and good discipline to handle the
pike effectively, and not every race has the
intelligence or patience to meet such demands.
Wood elves, unlike the high elves, have no time for
cumbersome drill movements and quite rightly view
pikes as useless weapons for forest warfare. Orcs are
too undisciplined, impatient and bloody minded to
use pikes. In the few cases where commanders have
tried to equip orcs with pike, the orcs have proved
incapable of moving in neat formations and when
the instructors' backs have been turned, have cut the
pikes down to a more handy spear size. Goblins will
never stand still long enough to learn how to handle
pikes and lack the morale and purpose to maintain a
pike phalanx in the face of the enemy.

==== REACH ====

Some weapons have a longer reach than others
and allow a unit to fight not just with its front rank,
but also with its second or in the case of pikes, even its
third rank as well!

The reach of each type of weapon is as follows:
^ Weapon Type       ^ Ranks Allowed ^
| Pike              | Three ranks   |
| Spear or polearm  | Two ranks     |
| All other weapons | One rank      |

The importance of this information is best
explained with an example. If you had a unit of fifteen
soldiers, arranged in thee ranks of five, armed with
swords, only those figures in the first rank of the unit
that were in actual base-to-base contact with the
enemy could fight. If the same unit was armed with
spears not only those figures in the front rank, but
also the figures immediately behind them in the
second rank could fight. If the unit was armed with
pikes not only those figures in the front rank but also
those figures immediately behind them in the
second and third ranks could fight.

However, players should note that this rank
advantage is lost immediately a unit becomes
disordered and under such circumstances is not
regained until the unit is reformed.

===== WHO GETS TO FIGHT? =====

==== CAVALRY V CAVALRY ====

In combat between two mounted units all the
figures on both sides are counted as being in base-to-
base combat with the enemy, even if the figures are
not actually touching. This is because charging
cavalry always lose formation and become mixed up
with the enemy.

==== CAVALRY V INFANTRY ====

In combat that involves cavalry and infantry, only
the cavalry in base-to-base contact with the infantry
are allowed to fight. While on the infantry side, who
can fight depends on the reach of the weapon the unit
is armed with.

In short, units armed with spears or polearms count the first two ranks as being in combat, while those armed with pikes count the first three ranks. Infantry armed with any other weapons can only count those figures in base-to-base contact with the enemy.
 
**Example: A unit of eight orc boar riders in two
ranks have charged a unit of ten Fenmark
swordsmen in two ranks. The orcs have four figures
in contact with the humans, and only these are
allowed to fight on their side. The humans have five
figures in contact with the orcs and as the unit is
armed with swords only those five can fight.**

**Example: A unit of twelve Lawkland cavalry
arranged in a line of two ranks, have charged a
regiment of twelve Fenmark soldiers arranged in
two ranks and armed with polearms. The cavalry
can only count the six figures in base-to-base
contact with the enemy. The soldiers of Fenmark,
because they are armed with polearms, can count
not just the front six soldiers but also the six in the
second rank.**

==== INFANTRY V INFANTRY ====

In combat involving two infantry regiments,
which figures are allowed to fight depends on the
reach of the weapons each unit is armed with.
In short, units armed with spears or polearms
count the first two ranks as being in combat, while
those armed with pikes count the first three ranks.
Infantry armed with any other weapons can only 
count those figures in base-to-base contact with the
enemy.

The benefit infantry receive from weapons that
allow multiple ranks to be involved in combat, apply
whether they are fighting other infantry, cavalry,
monsters or lone characters and are only lost if the
unit becomes disordered.

==== GROUND SWARMS V INFANTRY OR CAVALRY ====

Ground swarms whenever they are in combat with
other ground forces, count every figure in the
swarm. However, they cannot attack any units that
are flying or be attacked by such units except with
missile weapons. Swarms will be detailed in the
FANTASY WARLORD COMMAND PACK.

==== FLYING CREATURES AT COMBAT HEIGHT V GROUND TROOPS ====

If a flying unit flies into base-to-base contact with a
unit or ground swarm, or a ground unit charges up
to the flying unit's base, the fliers are assumed to be
over the unit and every flying creature and every
figure in the ground unit can fight.

==== UNITS OR SWARMS V. CHARACTERS OR MONSTERS ====

Only those figures in base-to-base contact or
within reach (i.e. the second rank for those armed
with spears or polearms and the third rank as well for
those armed with pikes) may fight. If a character is in
direct control of a unit which is locked in combat, the
character fights separately from the unit and attacks
made on him must also be treated separately.

==== FLANK OR REAR ATTACKS MADE BY UNITS OR MONSTERS ====

When a unit is attacked in the flank or rear, it finds
it difficult to fight back effectively and becomes
disordered. This is because it takes the soldiers time
to recover from the shock and confusion caused by
the attack and to organise a new front line. In
FANTASY WARLORD this confusion is reflected by the
combat modifier the attacker receives for flank and
rear attacks (that appears on the Profile Sheets) and
through the use of the following rules.

A unit attacked in the flank or rear, immediately
becomes disordered and must take a Morale Test,
allowing for the special Morale Modifiers such an
attack inflicts, which are listed on the Morale
Modifiers chart on each Profile Sheet.

If the defender passes the Moral Test the combat
proceeds as follows. The attacking unit or monster
conducts the combat in the normal way, counting all
the relevant Combat Modifiers and if it is armed with
spears, polearms or pikes and not disordered itself,
the relevant number of ranks it has in contact with
the enemy.

However, the defender can only count its figures in
base-to-base contact with the enemy, regardless of
whether it is armed with spears, polearms or pikes.
In addition, when calculating the combat modifiers,
the defender can only count one rank regardless of
how many his unit really has.

**Example: Twenty orc spearmen in four ranks of
five figures have been attacked in the flank by ten
dwarf spearmen in two ranks of five figures. The
dwarfs can count all ten of their figures in the attack
and receive all normal Combat Modifiers. But the
hapless orcs can only count four figures in base-to-
base contact with the dwarfs and only one rank for
the purpose of assessing their Combat Modifiers.**

==== FLANK OR REAR ATTACKS MADE BY CHARACTERS ====

When a character attacks a unit in the flank or rear,
both sides will suffer or benefit from the usual
combat and morale modifiers. However the
character will not disorder the unit unless he is a
giant.
 
==== FLANK OR REAR ATTACKS ON MONSTERS OR CHARACTERS ====

Monsters can become disordered but only if
attacked in the rear. Characters cannot become
disordered (except as a result of Blood Lust) and
therefore never suffer any of the disadvantages such a
state causes.

===== HOW TO DETERMINE CASUALTIES =====

All casualties are determined in phase ten of the
game turn according to the following procedure:

  - The attacker refers to the Basic Combat Percentage table of his Profile Sheet. He cross references the weapon type his unit is using, with the defender's armour type, to find his Basic Combat Percentage (BCP).
  - The attacker checks the Combat Modifiers List adding or subtracting all relevant modifiers from his BCP. The result will be his Modified Combat Percentage (MCP).
  - Multiply the MCP by the number of attacking figures eligible to take part in the combat. This will give the Final Combat Percentage (FCP).
  - For every 100% scored one enemy figure is killed or character or monster wounded. If there is any percentage left over the attacker rolls one D100 and if he scores under or equal to the remaining percentage a further enemy figure is killed or wound inflicted.
  - The defender notes down the number of slain figures or lies them on their side.
  - The defender now becomes the attacker, and repeats steps 1 - 5 counting all figures in his unit that are eligible to fight, including those just slain.
  - Both sides mark their dead with rings or remove them from the battlefield. 
  - The unit which has lost the highest number of figures is deemed to have lost the combat for that round, is pushed back and must take a Morale Test. If it passes its Morale Test the combat continues next turn.

If the unit fails its Morale Test, then it will Retire or
Rout. If it routs, the victor will be entitled to conduct
Pursuit Movement. If it retires the combat will be at an
end. If both sides have equal losses the combat for that
game turn is considered drawn, no one is pushed back
and the fight continues on the following turn.

**Example: The combat depicted in the picture
below is resolved in the following way. The five
figures in the dwarfs front rank are in base-to-base
contact with four of the orcs. As the dwarfs are
armed with spears and the orcs with polearms both
sides can also include their second ranks in the
fight. Both orcs and dwarfs are clad in chainmail,
but the dwarfs have shields as well.**

**The dwarf veterans calculate the effect of their
charge by first consulting the Basic Combat
Percentage table and then the combat modifiers.
On the BCP table they find they have a BCP of 14%.
They then check the Combat Modifiers and find the
following relevant factors:**

  * Unit Charged into Combat: +10
  * Fighting a hated foe: +8
  * Each Rank of own Formation: + 2
  * Unit are Veterans +6
  * **Total Modifiers = +26**

**The dwarfs MCP therefore equals 14 + 26 = 42%
This is multiplied by the number of dwarfs involved
in the fight (10) to give 420%. Thus four orcs are
killed immediately and there is a 20% chance a fifth
orc will also be killed. The dwarfs roll one D100 and
score 34% which is a miss, so no more orcs are
killed.**

**The orc urucks then calculate the effectiveness of
their defence. They consult their Basic Combat
Percentages Chart and find they have a BCP of 25%
against the dwarfs' chainmail. Then they check the
Combat Modifiers and find the following relevant
factors:**

  * Fighting Hated Foe: +6
  * Each Rank of own Formation: +2
  * Unit are urucks: +6
  * Attacking Troops with Shields: -2
  * **Total Modifiers = +12**

**The orcs MCP therefore equals 25 + 12 = 37%
This is multiplied by the number of orcs involved in
the fight (8) to give 296%. Thus two dwarfs are
killed immediately and the orcs have a 96% chance
of killing a third dwarf. The orcs roll one D100 and
score 84%. As this is less than the 96% required the
orcs kill another dwarf.**

====== AN EXPLANATION OF THE COMBAT MODIFIERS ======

The Basic Combat Percentages make allowance
for the type of weapon being used and the fear of the
soldier using that weapon. However, there are
further considerations that will affect a combat and
these are allowed for in the combat modifiers. Below
is an explanation of each modifier:

==== CHARGED INTO COMBAT ====

As a unit charges down on its enemy, it gains
momentum and strikes fear into the hearts of its
foes. This positive modifier reflects those facts. This
modifier can only be received by a unit that charged
(or pursued) into combat.

**Important: Cavalry double this bonus when they charge into combat!**

==== FIGHTING A HATED FOE ====

Hatred often encourages violence and causes
more casualties. This fact is reflected by the Hated
Foe modifier.

==== UNIT IS MOUNTED AND FIGHTING INFANTRY ====

Cavalry always have an advantage over infantry,
because they are higher and their mounts can be
used to worry and threaten the foe. This modifier
reflects these facts.

==== EACH RANK OF UNIT'S OWN FORMATION ====

The more ranks a unit has the more impetus it
gains in battle. This modifier reflects this fact. For
the purpose of this modifier the attacker can only
count complete ranks.

==== ATTACKING ENEMY IN THE FLANK ====

When a unit attacks the enemy in the flank it
causes confusion and spreads fear. This modifier
increases the attacker's strength and enables them
to cause more casualties than if they had attacked the
enemy frontally.

==== FIGHTING A MONSTER ====

Monsters are large and cause fear that affects the
ability of troops to fight. This minus modifier reflects
that fear.

==== CHARACTER IN DIRECT CONTROL OF UNIT ====

A characters presence and guidance will help to
embolden the troops under his command and
ensure they fight as effectively as possible.

==== ATTACKING ENEMY IN THE REAR ====

An attack in the rear of a unit will spread panic, fear
and confusion. This modifier reflects these factors
and the advantage the attacker gains.

==== ATTACKING ENEMY IN LIGHT/MEDIUM/HEAVY COVER ====

If the enemy is behind cover that protection will
interfere with the attack. These modifiers reflect the
effect of different degrees of protection.

==== A CLASS OR IS A CHARACTER ====

Superior training and skill will always tell. This
modifier ensures it does.

==== C CLASS ====

This modifier reflects the poor training and fear of
C class troops.

==== ENEMY HAS A SHIELD/ARMOURED MOUNT ====

If a soldier has a shield or armoured mount it will
make it harder for the attacker to hit him. The first
modifier reflects the use of a shield and the second
the presence of an armoured mount.

==== ENEMY IS DISORDERED ====

When a unit is disordered its fighting efficiency
declines and confusion in the ranks begins to grow
— giving the attacker an advantage. This modifier
reflects these facts.

===== WHEN TO REMOVE CASUALTIES =====

All casualties are determined in phase ten of the
game turn. Both sides take it in turn to attack one
another, but no casualties are removed or marked
with a dead marker until the end of each combat
phase. No pushbacks should be resolved until all
casualties across the table have been ascertained.
This rule ensures no side can gain an advantage in
the Morale Tests that are carried out after combat.
 
===== COMBAT WITH MONSTERS OR CHARACTERS =====

Monsters and characters are treated differently to
ordinary soldiers. The normal combat procedure is
followed, but for each 100% scored, or balance
successfully rolled for, one wound is inflicted on the
target, which may or may not kill it.

Each hit is treated as a wound. Hits on a monster
are referred to the Hit Chart on its Profile Sheet. A
D100 is rolled for the location of the wound and a D4
for the wound's severity. The effect of the hit is then
resolved. Players should note that hits on a monster
are cumulative. A monster is killed if that result is
thrown on its hit table or if the creature receives a
critical wound followed or preceded by any other
serious or critical wound. The injuries, nicked,
stunned and blinded do not count for these
purposes.

Hits on characters are referred to the Humanoid
Character Hit table on the Ready Reference Sheet. A
D100 is rolled for the location of the wound and a D4
for the wound's severity. The effect of the hit is then
resolved. Players should note that hits on a character
are cumulative. A character is killed if that result is
thrown on the hit table or: if the character receives a
critical wound followed or preceded by any other
wound or a serious wound followed or preceded by
any two other wounds. The injuries, nicked, stunned
and blinded do not count for these purposes.
A character or monster which is knocked
unconscious and then hit again is automatically
killed.

===== MONSTERS SLAIN ON THE BATTLEFIELD =====

Monsters that are killed collapse where they stand
and become an obstacle that acts like a wall if the
creature's base size is 40x40mm or smaller, or
becomes impassable terrain if it is larger than
40x40mm. Four legged beasts collapse where they
stand, two legged monsters fall in a random
direction inflicting damage on anything they hit
according to the crash rules, flying creatures killed
in flight, follow the crash rules.

====== COMBATS THAT CONTINUE FOR MORE THAN ONE GAME TURN ======

If combat between two or more units, characters
and monsters, is not resolved in one game turn, it
will continue into subsequent game turns until one
side routs or retires.

Units engaged in combat with the enemy cannot
be ordered to leave that combat unless they are flying
units at Combat Height.

====== OVERLAPPING UNITS ======

A unit which has won or drawn a round of combat,
is in line and has a number of figures unengaged-
because its frontage extends beyond that of the
enemy, may commit these figures in the next round
of combat, if the terrain allows such a move. (For
instance, it may not on a bridge or in a narrow street).

Uncommitted figures, require no orders and are
wheeled into combat in phase one of the game turn.
The figures that have wheeled in do not receive any
combat modifiers for charging or flank or rear
attacks, but they do retain any rank bonuses they
may have and any reach advantage their weapons
may grant. Units which lap round the foe in this
manner are not classed as being disordered and
therefore, at the end of the combat, if they are
victorious and do not conduct pursuit movement, do
not have to be marked with a Disordered counter.
They are simply moved back into their original
formation.

Overlapped defenders, because of the dangerous
position they find themselves in, lose their combat
modifier for the number of ranks they possess, and
may only count those figures in actual base-to-base
contact with the overlapping enemy, regardless of
the type of weapon they are armed with. However
they do not have to take a Morale Test for being
attacked in the flank or rear.

{{ :overlapping.jpg?400 |}}

If a unit is attacked in the flank and wins or draws
the fight on that flank, it may on the next turn, wheel
in any uncommitted troops on that flank, as in the
example.

====== PUSHBACKS ======

A unit that loses a round of combat is pushed back.
A pushback reflects the gradual retreat of a force in
the face of a superior enemy. A unit attacked in the
front is pushed backwards. A unit attacked in the
flank is pushed sideways. A unit attacked in the rear
is pushed forwards. A unit attacked simultaneously
on two sides moves away from the regiment which
has inflicted the most casualties pushing the other
enemy unit ahead of it.

For each figure an infantry unit loses more than its
foe, it is pushed back one centimetre. For each figure
a mounted unit loses more than its foe it is pushed
back two centimetres. For each figure a flying unit
loses more than its foe it is pushed back four
centimetres. In all cases the winner moves with the
loser and remains in contact for the next round of
combat.

For pushback purposes all two legged creatures
on the ground are classed as infantry. All four legged
creatures on the ground are counted as cavalry.

Characters and monsters count each hit as 'one
figure killed' for the purposes of calculating a
pushback. All pushbacks occur before any post
combat Morale Tests.

===== PUSHBACKS AND INITIATING COMBAT =====

As a victorious unit follows up a pushback it may
come into contact with another enemy unit. If this
happens combat with that new unit is initiated and
neither side receives the charge bonus.

**Exception: Units defending fortifications, walls,
hedges or buildings, which pushback an enemy
force do not have to follow up the pushback. If they
decline to follow it up then no movement occurs but
the loser must still take a Morale Test. If he passes
this test, the fight continues in the next phase of
combat.**

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[[morale|CHAPTER 10. MORALE]]