"Halberd vs trolls" Topic

Ok guys this came up in a game on Saturday,we hadn't played in 20 years so we were a bit rusty with the rules .

So here's my question. A unit of 16 halberdiers in two ranks of 8 was charged buy a unit of 12 goblin wolf riders.
So naturally the halbrds go first, then in the next turn I moved a unit of 4 trolls into the rear of the halberdiers now if the troll movement was legal and all the first rank of halberds are in contact with the wolf riders does the rear rank get to attack the trolls first even though they are facing towards the wolf riders. Hope this makes sense .

Regards james

I would say no, for the first turn. The following turn they could turn face and attack the Trolls. They only get one attack per turn, so if they attacked the Wolf Riders, they were done for that turn.

If the Halberdiers got first movement, they could have turned the rear rank to face the Trolls, in which case I'd let them attack first, for reach of their weapons. Cheers!

In most wargames rules I've read, the long weapons ONLY give a "first strike" ability if the wielder is unengaged. Once they are facing an enemy, they arenīt preparing a "pointy wall" to receive the charge, but fighting for their lives.

So I think no, against the trolls the halberdiers canīt strike first.

Hope that helps.

Good question. I believe the halberdiers would not get to attack first against the trolls to their rear.

On page 41, "a unit receives the melee advantage bonus if it is in good order, if at least some of the attacking figures are contacting the enemy with the fronts of their bases; etc

From your example it sounds like the front of the halberdiers bases were contacting the wolf riders but not the trolls. So they wouldn't strike first against the trolls because none of the front of the halberdiers bases were contacting the trolls.

Thanks guys for the clarification, now iuz is happy!!!!

Regards james