"R&E Skirmisher Interactions" Topic

Hello,

A couple questions from someone still learning R&E:

1. Can units shoot through their own detached (within 6") skirmishers?
2. Can units shoot through enemy skirmishers to a main body behind if in range?
3. Following Simultanious Action rules, do most players prefer to shoot multiple units of skirmishers simultaniously to up the Fire Factor of the roll?
4. Rules state that Unformed Troops must move away from Formed Troops that close to 2", is there a minimum distance they must remain from other Unformed Troops? As in can advancing Unformed Troops force other Unformed Troops back through movement alone?
5. If shooting small groups at a skirmishers, its quite possible with the -10 for skirmishers to have a Fire Factor reduced to 1 or below 1, does the Firing Unit still fire is reduced below 1?

Thanks

When get home later today will look into these questions and what Empire III does

I don't see any way you could fire through your own skirmish screen, if the line was to fire would think the skirmishes would be recalled behind the line
Only see artillery firing outside 3 inches fires through the skirmishes. Infantry I would fire on the closest unit in front, formed or unformed
Only Skirmish round is simultaneously and I use fire factor for winning sid4 gives retreating distance but not a minimum separation
4 am sure I never have done that but played rules that do use skirmishes slow down or force opponents to retreat.
And not sure about 5
In regular combat I use my skirmishes moral factor, any troops firing back use their fire factor but at %.20

Thanks for your response 14Bore,

I did some digging through the R&E rules as I figured it has to be mentioned somewhere. Managed to find it under a odd "Elevation" title. I appreciate the definition of "Range Band", thereby giving Artillery a rather large window to ignore skirmishers not operating well beyond friends.

1) No. See P102 Rule 15.7.1

2) Yes, but only if the enemy Skirmishers and the enemy main body are in the same range band. (Rule 15.7.1).

3) I tend to fire multiple units of skirmishers simultaneously if possible. It speeds up the game.

4) In Grand Tactical Movement unformed troops without formed troops in support will remain at 9" (out of engagement range) P51 Rule 9.13.5. Only formed troops will push back unformed troops.

5) There is not much point (unless they have lost fire discipline P74 Rule 13.6). Formed troops will usually drive of enemy skirmishers by movement. P89 Rules 14.25.2 – 14.25.4.

Hope this helps.