Am I correct that the only way to remove an RT Status from a fully deployed formation is via the Take Control --> Rally and Reform --> Inspire sequence? Put another way, it does not appear that I am able to try and issue a formation with an RT status a Defend order which would, other circumstances permitting, allow it to regain one fatigue per turn.
Am I correct that the only way to remove an RT Status from a fully deployed formation is via the Take Control --> Rally and Reform --> Inspire sequence? Put another way, it does not appear that I am able to try and issue a formation with an RT status a Defend order which would, other circumstances permitting, allow it to regain one fatigue per turn.
Yes, that was the intention (as indicated by the text for 3.7.4). Circumstantially, if the Formation had some routed Units, assuming the negative modifiers were not so bad as to prevent success, you could rally those Units if it would put the Formation above the threshold for Retreating [RT], which would then allow it to convert to Defend [D] during the next Order Conversion step, but that is rarely a practical and available option.
-David
So, taking the situation that prompted the question:
In the Introductory Scenario, the Allied cavalry starts deployed. They were charged by the French cavalry on an order conversion. They struggled mightily through several rounds -- good fun! At the end, both sides took their assessment and were required to retreat. They scampered off as required.
As the formation is entirely deployed and no unit routed, the only way to return them to the fight is via consolidation, correct? If so, that's harsh and will certainly make me cautious re: throwing smaller units about.
Oh, units retreating may continue to face the enemy's direction once they've retreated, correct?
Â
Â
As the formation is entirely deployed and no unit routed, the only way to return them to the fight is via consolidation, correct? If so, that's harsh and will certainly make me cautious re: throwing smaller units about.
Â
Correct. It is pretty harsh, the net result is that, specific to cavalry, you should assume a cavalry Formation will take 1 fatigue per Combat Resolution. So 3 Units are going to fight… the Formation should expect 3 fatigue. It could be more, it could be less, but that would be the expectable result. If the Formation is going to have a number of Combat Resolutions equal to its number of deployed Units, the expectation is that it will be at least Retreating [RT] afterwards.
Now, again, that is specific to cavalry, as they fatigue on every Combat Resolution result except a Breakthrough. Infantry on the other hand only fatigue on a Tie or Rout, and are therefore much more likely to stay in combat longer.
Oh, units retreating may continue to face the enemy's direction once they've retreated, correct?
That is correct, it is only Broken [BK] Formations that have to turn their Units away from the enemy.
-David
