"Supporting Units Black Powder" Topic

Hello,

I've recently played some games of Black Powder, in it we've had Hand to Hand Combats involving usually a unit each side with multiple supports, commonly across from each other or with other units nearby. I have several questions about this:

1. During their turn can supports fire at another unit?
2. Can other units fire at supports?
3. Are supports free to move away if the combat goes on for multiple turns?

Thanks.

Per second edition, the answers are:
1. yes – shooting is not hand-to-hand combat
2. yes – same as above
3. depends – if moving unit stays in the engaged unit's quarter generally facing the same direction and is within 6", it still counts as support; otherwise, no. They are free to move, but support may be lost unless another friendly unit moves into that space.

Any HtH Combat occurring in a quarter within 6" of an engaged unit negates any support in that quarter. So watch for situations where a line of units engage in HtH as only rear support often can result.