Impetuous Movement

Question came up at the club last weekend regarding Impetuous Units that are "out of control"

Rule 5.3 states that "When activated, Out of Control troops must move at least one full movement phase straight ahead. Afterwards they can perform other sorts of movement, but never to the rear while they are within 30U of the enemy."

So, an Impetuous Unit in good order activates and is within 30U of the enemy, and is not on Opportunity.

So they must advance one full movement forward OR wheel to the nearest enemy and move full distance toward them, Advanced Impetus modifies the rule such that the cost of the wheel is deducted from the forward movement in the latter case.

They've moved once so there is no discipline/disorder check.

All fine so far.

If they choose to move straight ahead in the same activation they then need to roll a discipline test or they become disordered as per a standard second movement action.

Now the real question - if they choose to move again in the same activation can they oblique or sideshift (and be automatically disordered) because they started that second movement in good order?

One school of thought says they can, another says that they must just keep on ploughing ahead relentlessly and can only change direction when the conditions allow them the wheel option - nearest enemy, difficult or impassable terrain.

Thoughts appreciated

thanks

R

First,
I believe that when activated they can test to go on opportunity prior to having to make the first move - it's not restricted to 'already being on opportunity'. Minor point but trying to be complete

To your principle question: Yes. We have always played that once the unit has moved the mandatory full move distance (straight or wheeling) then it is no longer constrained by the impetuosity rules and can attempt to manoeuvre.

The key to me is the statement "must move one full movement phase straight ahead" - this would say something like "must move straight ahead a full move each movement phase" if the second interpretation was correct. It's one of the few (only?) uses of the term 'movement phase' so it's use is probably very deliberate.

Still it's a brave man that attempts to manoeuvre his warband in the face of the enemy once within 30u less a full move

Hi note there are a couple of questions about this area. I wonder is now the key point that the wheel is included as part of the impetuous move - therefore in my opinion once activated the key point is that the impetuous troops have to be moving towards the nearest enemy.

Cheers Jez

The wheel was always included - you just used to get it for free, now you pay u for it.

the impetuous troops have to be moving towards the nearest enemy.

That may be a point but it isn't what the rules say or what the rules ask of the unit. And it isn't the key point - moving towards the nearest enemy is optional.

One full movement phase straight ahead (which may include a legal wheel) that's the requirement, no more, no less.

Not towards the nearest unit, not every movement phase just a single compulsory full move straight ahead.

Rule 5.3 even states that "Afterwards they can perform other sorts of movement." Tell me please what 'other sort of movement' could this be if they have to move straight ahead (or towards the nearest enemy) each and every movement phase.

The question isn't really even a rules interpretation question, the rules (for once) are crystal clear. It's really a "but other rules do it differently" question. To which the answer (as always) is "these aren't those rules".

We too play it as Zippee states. The first movement phase of an impetuous unit must either be a full move straight forward or a wheel and move towards the nearest non S unit. The second movement phase of the activation of an impetuous unit has no limitations and the unit could wheel in a different direction or oblique etc..