"Warhammer ECW rules questions." Topic

Gentlemen and Ladies I need some help with the Warhammer ECW rules. I have decided that these are going to be the rules (this is the third set of rules I've tried) and if this set does not take I'm selling a whole bunch of Redoubt figures. Most of this makes sense but there are times when the written words seem to take a Phil Barkerish tour into the land of the obtuse.
Questions.
1. When a unit reforms or changes formation (pg. 16) are they talking about just the musketeer element exclusive of the pikes or does the term unit mean the whole regiment. I take it to be the former but need confirmation.
2. And this is really just more of the same for #1. If both musketeer and the pike block are within 2" do they move individually, together or both depending upon circumstances.
3. If only one rank can usually fire I am assuming that the one rank that is physically on the table really represents two ranks of firing soldiers, correct? I think this because when only one rank is on the table it can only fire every other figure (which would be two ranks). See the last parag. Pg. 21 and the first parag. Pg. 22 for the source of my confusion.
4. After charging into contact the attacked moves to align with the defender. Is there a minimum # of figures that must be in contact? Should there be a minimum # of figures?
5. When movement takes place the unit moving can wheel, turn, etc., etc. Is it okay to incline the unit a bit left or right as it advances? Was that done?
6. Pike and Shot regiments (from pg. 56). Sub units separated by more than 2" treat their casualties as a % of that sub unit. This then means that otherwise the entire regiment is the foundation for determining % of casualties?
7. Same page. Point #3. A shot unit fires at a charge and falls back behind the pike unit of the regt. Both are within 2" The shot unit used the fire and flee procedure rolling one or two d6. If they are caught before they make it they will get hammered in the rear or flank, correct? Likewise a pike unit (top pg. 57) counter charges to intervene on behalf of a shot unit. Movement is pro-rated? Can the pike unit wheel and then charge?
I think most of these are not that difficult but I want assurance that I am getting it right. Any help will be most gratefully received. Thanks. Hank

Get ready to sell your figures……

Hank,

Have you checked these out? They're free so you've got nothing to lose.

Gentlemen,

You'd think that refighting the largest battle of the English Civil War using
"company level" rules and over 2,500 28mm figures sounds like madness. Well,
you'll probably be right. However, this weekend we did just that, refighting the
pivotal battle of the English Civil War using the Perfect Captain's rules!

I'm delighted to report that not only did we all have a great time, but the good
guys won. Even more importantly the rules – rather than being tested to
destruction – worked a treat! We added our own modifications for regimental
integrity, and moved units a brigade at a time rather than by "company", but
essentialy we used the rules as the Cap'n intended, even though we measured the
"companies" on the table by the hundred!

Check out the madness on the latest Journal on edinburghwargames.com

Yours in the Cause, Angus Konstam

Ignore Bede, we play and enjoy WECW as do many others. I'd recommend checking out the WECW group on Yahoo! Groups. There a several files to check out in the file section and lots of older messages to check out. I'll try to help here:

1. When a unit reforms or changes formation (pg. 16) are they talking about just the musketeer element exclusive of the pikes or does the term unit mean the whole regiment. I take it to be the former but need confirmation.

Look at the top of page 15, where it says that units move and fight as a regiment. If the pike and shot are purchased as a regiment and are in cohesion they act together with some exceptions.

2. And this is really just more of the same for #1. If both musketeer and the pike block are within 2" do they move individually, together or both depending upon circumstances.

Together unless the shot is detached or out of cohesion.

3. If only one rank can usually fire I am assuming that the one rank that is physically on the table really represents two ranks of firing soldiers, correct? I think this because when only one rank is on the table it can only fire every other figure (which would be two ranks). See the last parag. Pg. 21 and the first parag. Pg. 22 for the source of my confusion.

Here is what the FAQ from the Yahoo! group says on this: "Shot should ideally be formed two deep, as this means that they fire a full rank , each turn, AND if needs be , could fire a salvo of Both ranks. So yes, you need to be two deep to fire all the front rank. All shot should form like that, it was the way the rule intended. That was the way they formed in the period, in dense blocks which gave regular fire, the depth enabling constant, but rarely deadly fire."

4. After charging into contact the attacked moves to align with the defender. Is there a minimum # of figures that must be in contact? Should there be a minimum # of figures?

Ah, this one should get some discussion going. In a word, no. The alignment talked about in the rules is a pivot so that the units are touching figure to figure. You can actually charge so that only one figure is in contact with the enemy unit. However the group I play with always tries to charge so that the maxim number of figures are in contact.

5. When movement takes place the unit moving can wheel, turn, etc., etc. Is it okay to incline the unit a bit left or right as it advances? Was that done?

Sorry, not sure what you are asking here…

6. Pike and Shot regiments (from pg. 56). Sub units separated by more than 2" treat their casualties as a % of that sub unit. This then means that otherwise the entire regiment is the foundation for determining % of casualties?

Yes.

7. Same page. Point #3. A shot unit fires at a charge and falls back behind the pike unit of the regt. Both are within 2" The shot unit used the fire and flee procedure rolling one or two d6. If they are caught before they make it they will get hammered in the rear or flank, correct? Likewise a pike unit (top pg. 57) counter charges to intervene on behalf of a shot unit. Movement is pro-rated? Can the pike unit wheel and then charge?

The shot doesn't have to roll as it automatically retires behind the pike unit. This is only limited by the normal 4" move and the requirements in Point #3. Note that if a unit fails a fallback/flee move it is destroyed, but as you don't have to roll here this is not a problem. Again, to quote the FAQ, "This was the trickiest bit to try to explain, so tricky I got Jervis to help me out, and still it isn't terribly clear, sorry. The intention is that a prepared infantry regiment threatened from the front by hostile melee troops,cav or inf, have little to fear as long as they are in good order with pike supporting the shot. If this shot are charged , the commander withdraws the threatened musket unit(s), to a safer place behind the supporting pike , so that the enemy is either forced to fight the pike, tricky if they are cavalry, or instead to halt, having at least forced back the shot. Where it is not clear is that the pike don't counter charge as such, but they move up and in the way. The intention is that the pike do not count as charging, (ie they should strike last), but they do stop the evil enemy unit from hitting your shot. So the big issue is using the term "countercharge", which would have been better written to say, "countermove', which explains better the intent. If the unit has no ammo left , then it just shelters behind the pike as they move up to engage.

It is a tricky thing to write , and the historical parallels are less than clear to understand how they happened in practice, By describing the intent of the rule, like I just have , I hope gamers will do their best , like yourself to muddle through in this an area which is an imprecise science. Be reasonable, be fair , and you wont get far wrong I reckon , but you are absolutely correct to flag this up as a major confusion area, and will only be solved by understanding and patience, thanks, JS"

I think most of these are not that difficult but I want assurance that I am getting it right. Any help will be most gratefully received. Thanks. Hank

Good luck, if you get a chance join the group and read some of the stuff available, Mike

Yeah…good luck. I'm first in line when you're ready to sell! :) But you can ignore me too…LOL

I think question #5 is asking about the possibility of oblique movement. I don't allow it, but YMMV.

Agreed that the WECW yahoogroup would be a big help to the original poster. I've had plenty of questions answered there. WECW is fun (bloody fun – no pun intended), but some of the writing is a bit opaque.

Hi Ferd45231,

First of all I'd like to agree with JCBJCB – WECW is fun!!

The questions you've asked are all relevent and crop up quite often. I think the hardest thing to work out from the rule book is how the regiments are supposed to work. If you get a chance, join the Yahoo group, but also go and have a look at the WAB Forum, there's plenty going on there.

I've recently started a blog about my WECW gaming that also has a copy of the errata and clarifications that John Stallard wrote before leaving GW, plus I've cleaned it up a little to make it an easier read, and also, more importantly, added in a clear method for the use of the supporting charge option for regiments.

link

Have a look, it may help you to enjoy the game, without some of the initial confusion.

Dave

BTW – we're organising a friendly tournie/event at Warhammer world in July if you're in the UK and fancy a weekend gaming the ECW!

Many thanks to all who have replied; yes, even those of you who are warning me to print up for sale signs. :)
One of the many great things about this hobby is the willingness of those involved to take the time to help.
Hank