Melee clarification, please

[HoaryCenturion]

Good evening,

Here's hoping the 2024 is off to a good start for everyone who frequents this forum.

Treading carefully, it promises to be an interesting year . . .

To the point.

In a current scenario (Punic Wars - fictional battle, no refight), the following happened:

A unit of Red's javelin cavalry moved into flank contact with a unit of Blue's Bad Horse. The melee was a tie.

In the next turn, a unit of Skirmishers from a nearby Blue formation was able to move up and take the Red javelin cavalry from behind.

It was Blue's bound, they were the active side. How does the melee resolve?

1 - Is the Skirmisher unit the main attacker against the backs of the enemy horse?

2 - Is the Skirmisher unit simply support for the ongoing melee, where the Bad Horse is flanked and so, at a disadvantage?

Going to attempt a "drawing" here to add some context.

S X
S X Y Y Y
S X

Where S = Blue skrmishers; X = Red javelin cavalry, and Y = Blue bad horse

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[Rod]

Since none of the units are in front edge to front edge contact, the it is the choice of the active player where to fight and who will be the main combatant.

So the skirmisher can be the main attacker or the Bad horse can be the main attacker. Skirmisher is +1, Jav Cav is +2(-1 fighting to the rear), in this case Bad Horse doesn't do anything but block Jav Cav fall back. If Bad Horse rolls it is +1, Jav Cav is also +1 (-1 for fighting with an enemy in rear contact).

[HoaryCenturion]

Thanks, Rod, for your usual rapid response.

It appears that I muffed this one . . . I had it correct, initially, and then second guessed myself. D'oh.

As I played it out, the Bad Horse were defeated/destroyed, and the JC pursued as they had doubled the score.

A hiccup in the overall process, but I am thinking/hoping that this mistake doesn't make too large of a ripple.

Thanks again for setting the record straight.

Cheers,
Chris