VIK02 Reading 871

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
At the end of 870 the...

VIK02 Reading 871

What is the reasoning behind the idea that Auxilia units will battle back with one extra die?

The Boar's Snout says "Select one foot unit and up to two adjacent foot units. Each unit can move one extra hex and battle. When battling, add 1 die to each supported unit. Ordered units may not engage in Ranged Combat."

Can you explain what "When battling, add 1 die to each supported unit." means? Which units are supported the supported ones? Does this 1 die apply to both the selected foot and to the adjacent foot units?

Thanx

1. Extra die battling back is conceptually the shield wall, but also to make the Auxilia a little less hapless. Originates from Spearmen in BattleLore

2. Supported units are those with 2 adjacent friendly units or leaders. See the 2nd dot point under Bolster Morale rules. The extra die applies to each ordered unit that is supported at the moment of battle. Conceptually it is the mass of men pressing forwards into the enemy line, typically led by the best troops.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svinfylking
 

Battleback +1 bonus for Auxilia - is that like a card bonus, independent of terrain or is it to be treated as the base unit dice, so capped at terrain maximum ?

as the base, similar to the extra die Warriors get at Full Strength

MT4 results are;
4 Saxon wins (8-7, 8-7, 8-5, 8-4) and 3 Viking wins (8-6, 8-4, 8-3)

Two Saxon wins - 8-7 and 8-5. In both games the Vikings had difficulty deploying outside of Reading and ended the game with three units still behind the walls. Aggressive Saxon play against the auxilia kept the Vikings preoccupied and unable to stream out of the town.

Another two Saxon wins at 8-4 and 8-5 (included a leader so really 8-4). The issue for the Vikings is the lack of depth in their position, restricted by the town walls. With auxilia retreating two hexes, light troops not being able to evade only one hex and bowmen having a range of four hexes, it's difficult to stop the Saxon onslaught before the heavier Viking troops can make an impact.

Did any of these plays use the Redeploy Inspired Action?