Newbie Questions

Hi All

I’m trying to understand Baroque from just reading the rules ( I have no previous experience of Impetus).

I have a few questions:

1) Forced Rally - can a commander perform this on multiple units in the same turn? (Assuming they meet the basic criteria)

2) Can a unit that is Disordered make a single forward Movement action? I think this is possible as several other movement actions start with the statement if "not in disorder"

3) Wheels - in a wheel movement action, can a unit also move forwards as well as wheeling (as long as it stays within the max movement distance)?

4) Charging - if a charge is the 2nd (or later) movement action, do you still have to roll for Disorder at the end of it (i.e. at the point you enter melee)?

5) Combat / Firing - if a unit has taken wounds earlier, eg its VBU has dropped from 6 to 4, does it roll only 4 dice when shooting or fighting? This seems implicit, rather than explicit. (or I may be very used to other systems where the combat values and wounds are separate)

fred wrote:Hi All

I’m trying to understand Baroque from just reading the rules ( I have no previous experience of Impetus).

I have a few questions:

I will try my best, I also had no experience with Impetus and have a few Baroque games under my belt. Made some mistakes, missed the occasional rule but had great games.

1) Forced Rally - can a commander perform this on multiple units in the same turn? (Assuming they meet the basic criteria)

Yes, each unit can attempt this.

2) Can a unit that is Disordered make a single forward Movement action? I think this is possible as several other movement actions start with the statement if "not in disorder"

Yes, some actions are not available (those that cause disorder) but a simple forward move is OK.

3) Wheels - in a wheel movement action, can a unit also move forwards as well as wheeling (as long as it stays within the max movement distance)?

No, you can only wheel, a subsequent move is a 'second move' and would require a test at its conclusion.

4) Charging - if a charge is the 2nd (or later) movement action, do you still have to roll for Disorder at the end of it (i.e. at the point you enter melee)?

Yes, its a 2nd movement so a test is required after its complete.

5) Combat / Firing - if a unit has taken wounds earlier, eg its VBU has dropped from 6 to 4, does it roll only 4 dice when shooting or fighting? This seems implicit, rather than explicit. (or I may be very used to other systems where the combat values and wounds are separate)

Only 4.

That all looks to be correct

Disorder does not prevent a unit activating, it just prevents it from performing multiple movement actions. it can still move and shoot (or shoot and move) but at a disadvantage - the real problem with being disordered is that you are much more vulnerable to 'real ' damage as a result of combat. In that any hit that would ordinarily only cause you to become disordered will instead cause a permanent loss or 'wound' if you prefer.

One of the things it usually takes a little time for new players to understand is that the Cohesion Test is far more important than how many dice you roll in combat.

Thanks Paul and Zippee. Glad to know I'm slowly getting to grips with the rules.

With respect to movement, how strictly do you play the only move forward, and only a wheel in a movement action? My group comes from Warmaster and the like background, and some really struggle with the idea of restricted movement. Personally I think it's very appropriate for the period, but do wonder if you allow a little leeway for negotiating obstacles when moving?

Absolutely strictly (but without the dancing).

You can move straight ahead, you can move obliquely (with some units - others are disordered by doing so), you can move sideways, or backwards (again with disorder penalties).

If you are not strict with the straight ahead then you devalue the strength of these moves. The oblique without changing facing is the one most find tricky to do, its like steering at the thing you're look at, everyone inclines the base as they do it

Impetus and Baroque aren't geometric games though, precisely lining up or conforming into combat is not only unnecessary, it's expressly forbidden. So it doesn't matter in the majority of cases if you're a bit off-centre.

However the opposite is also true - if you're missing the opponent then you need to wheel to get him in your sights, there's fractional contact and then there's taking the P.

This is perhaps a bit more obvious in Impetus, where group moves positively encourage you to take a broad picture approach to aiming your battle line.

Ta. It's good to get a feel for how the game is played.

I'd kind of worked out that combat didn't need precise alignment - and shooting has a fairly good arc. Which both mean you don't need to worry too much about positioning.

! agree - rigid compliance, its fundamental to the mechanics and system.

Zippee wrote:Absolutely strictly (but without the dancing).

You can move straight ahead, you can move obliquely (with some units - others are disordered by doing so), you can move sideways, or backwards (again with disorder penalties).

If you are not strict with the straight ahead then you devalue the strength of these moves. The oblique without changing facing is the one most find tricky to do, its like steering at the thing you're look at, everyone inclines the base as they do it

Impetus and Baroque aren't geometric games though, precisely lining up or conforming into combat is not only unnecessary, it's expressly forbidden. So it doesn't matter in the majority of cases if you're a bit off-centre.

However the opposite is also true - if you're missing the opponent then you need to wheel to get him in your sights, there's fractional contact and then there's taking the P.

This is perhaps a bit more obvious in Impetus, where group moves positively encourage you to take a broad picture approach to aiming your battle line.

Thanks. I will teach the first few games with the big stick to ensure movement is strict and in keeping with big battalions from the period,

... do you need to pass a discipline test in order to charge ?

No, not usually.

You might have to pass a test to counter or op charge but a straight forward charge is just declared.