BASIC IMPETUS Part 2: Battlefield

Continuing the Impetus series, this time we look at the battlefield terrain and army placement.

A quick note on Distances. The game uses the half-base-width “H” as a standard unit of measurement.

1.    Terrain Types

There are six types of terrain used in Basic Impetus:

OPEN GROUND: No effect on movement or combat.

BROKEN GROUND: Disorders all except T, FL, and S on entering.

DIFFICULT GROUND: Disorders all except FL, and S on entering. All move at half speed.

IMPASSABLE GROUND: No units can cross unless on a road.

ROADS: Units follow course, if entirely upon them.

RIVERS: Two types. Crossable (but Disordered on exit) or uncrossable.

2.    Effects on combat

Apart from the Disordered modifier, all mounted, and FP with pikes suffer -2D if fighting within or against a foe entirely within Difficult Terrain.

Units within 1H of a wood edge can shoot and be shot at with -1D mod.

In Broken or Difficult ground, only Impetuous FL get their Impetus Bonus unless charging non impetuous FL or S.

Gentle hills give a tactical advantage to the defender’s Cohesion roll if they are higher up the hill than the attacker.

It is important to specify if terrain blocks line of sight when placing the terrain.

3.    Size & Shape

Natural Terrain pieces should be oval in shape and between 2H and 8H at the longest point. Man-made areas can be rectangular and of the same size. A river (only one per battlefield) and roads run from one table edge to the opposite.

4.    Preparing Terrain

The players take it in turn rolling twice on a specific table depending on if they have more mounted or foot in their army. The first placement can be anywhere, the second must not be closer than 8H to first, all others can be anywhere.

The defender rolls first and is determined by a 2d6 roll modified by number of mounted units in the army.

5.    Unit Deployment

The players take it in turn placing their units in a specific order of type, defender first.

Units are placed in a zone no closer than 4H from the centreline of the table, and no closer than 4H from either side edge.

 

Next time, we consider the Initiative roll and actions.