Pilum & PBW

Didn't find that only FRESH can use Pilum & PBW like in full Impetus. Is it correct that now they fire with wounds?

As written you can use Pilum and PBW even when worn in BI2.

No idea what that may mean for Impetus II. We haven't had an AI for this year so hard to compare.

Not played BI2 yet, so no expert. The key phrase appears to be "During the first melee phase with enemy..." (6.5). So yes, no mention of needing to be fresh, but it is only a single shot.

Yeah the question there though is does that mean "the first melee phase of the game" or "the first melee phase of this melee"

I think the latter you imply you think the former, so there's bound to be dispute. . .

only one bound and once you enter in melee for the first time.
So for example a legionary Unit that took a loss during a firing phase can still throw pila once enters in melee for the first time. First phase of melee.

A very timely post - first game with Rep Romans coming up this week! So just to be absolutely clear, on the first phase of every melee no matter what the strength of the unit they get to roll 4 or 2 dice as appropriate? That would be nice if its right Also it would make sense for deep units of Hastati and Principes to have more than one shot.

Cheers

Hi Mark, Jez here - I remember we met at lots of competitions but famously never got drawn against each other!!

Personally I take Lorenzo's post to read you can only use the pilum and PBW once in a game?

Can I ask is Basic Impetus 2 going down well in South Wales?

Cheers Jez

woah, just scrolled back to re read Lorenzo's post and how he worded it I agree with Jez, its only a 1 time, 1st combat throw.... He keeps emphasizing "First"

only one bound and once you enter in melee for the first time. So for example a legionary Unit that took a loss during a firing phase can still throw pila once enters in melee for the first time. First phase of melee. wrote:

I can certainly see that this seems the likely interpretation, although it's still a tad cryptic.

A nice simple Yes/No answer to:
"Can a unit only use pilum/PBW once per game?"
would be nice.

Personally I don't like that mechanic if it's so - javelinmen don't run out of javelins and they carry no more javelins than legionaries do pila. And I dislike the special case memory thing.

It would make more sense to allow the use in the same situation as impetus is allowed - ie if moving into contact and fresh.

"A nice simple Yes/No answer to:
"Can a unit only use pilum/PBW once per game?"
would be nice."

Yes (once per game)

"javelinmen don't run out of javelins and they carry no more javelins than legionaries do pila. "

Javelinmen rely on a different tactic and they are usually a VBU 4 Unit. Legionaries have VBU 6 and are basically a melee troop (the best among foot).
In Impetus they risked to loose the pilum before being use, so I see an improvement here.

Thanks for the clarity Lorenzo

Thanks Lorenzo, I think Legionaries not losing the pila after taking one loss is a definite improvement.

Hi Jez we may have chance to finally cross swords in march, if you're interested I think Roger Calderbank is organising a BI2 tournament just outside Bristol and I'll be putting my name down. I'll be having a look at what he's posted next and get ready to dust some old figures off!! Cheers

One more question on this subject: Do you count as having fired your pilum / pbw if you are just fighting as a support unit for first time?

As you're using the pilum/PBW bonus then I think that's your lot. I appreciate you roll less dice but they're still used up.

yes, you must roll for pilum at first contact, so you have lost the pilum after it