Mounted Units
In the advanced Heroine Rules, Stands with the Mounted (such as Chariots and
Fae Swift Riders) ability gain bonus' in close combat if they have moved
into contact and more than 5".
To get the most out of her mounted damsels, a skilled Princess must learn how
to prepare for the charge that will deliver the greatest shock to the enemy. Or when
fighting against mounted, she must move her damsels into position where the charge
will not be as powerful, or miss her damsels at all.
Attacking with Mounted
Mounted Stands only get their bonus if they move a minimum distance into contact.
Once in contact, or if the Stand didn't move far enough, the Stand will no longer
get any bonus'. As mounted Stands are rare compared to foot damsels, and more expensive,
their effectiveness must be maximised or wasted.
Attack with Mounted from at least over 5" to get A and follow-up
bonus'.
The objective of the mounted charge is to smash through the enemy line. In addition
to an increased A rating, the Stands also follow-up better and thus
have more chance of inflicting hits and killing the enemy. To get the most bonus'
the Stand must charge from as far away from its target as possible, building up speed
and momentum until the large creatures and their riders crash into the enemy, and
through them like skittles.
The Stand does not want to charge from close range; its momentum will be significantly
lower meaning the enemy has a chance of winning the combat. Mounted Stands are too
important to get bogged down in rounds of close combat.
Defending against Mounted
Mounted Damsels are most dangerous for on the Meadow, even to other mounted. Just
as much care needs to defend against them as to use them properly in battle.
As Mounted need to charge from distance to make a strong attack, the best option for
brave maidens is to advance on the enemy so the charge will come from a shorter distance
and it won't build up as much momentum. This tactic wont stop the maidens from being
charged and certaintly requires resolution to carry out.
Although knowing the danger, these Peltae advance closer to the Swift Fae hoping
to lessen the impact of their charge.
Another option is to concentrate missile fire against Mounted Stands and drive them
out of charge range. This tactic can be a double edged sword however; if not enough
hits are caused on the Stand but it is pushed back, it could be pushed back into a
more favourable position; further away but still close enough to charge.
The Swift Fae are in a precarious position. If they charge the Peltae the Chariot
can fall on their flank in turn; if they don't charge the Chariot will.
A third option is available if a Princess has mounted of her own, or sufficiently
fast maidens that can support the likely charge of the enemy. If the enemy charges
and by chance does not Rout the target Unit, these supporting Units can counter-charge
the Mounted in turn and kill them. If a supporting Stand or Unit is Mounted itself,
it should be at a distance that will give it charge bonus'.
The worst thing for any Mounted Stand is to get bogged down in Close Combat. Here
flanked Swift Fae don't get any combat bonus' and will find it hard to withdraw from
the melee.
|