Moving into Difficult Going

Group Moves into/from DGo

To accelerate combat in difficult terrain (woods, orchards, marsh.....etc.), groups are allowed to "group move" into or out of Difficult Going. The key section of the rules covering this is;

(Group Moves; Page 17, bottom para) - A group move must be in or into a 1 element wide column if: <2nd bullet.> Ending the move in difficult going, unless all elements are psiloi or move into edge to edge or corner to corner contact with enemy visible at the start of the move.

Group Moves into Difficult Going terrain;
Groups approaching difficult going terrain with enemy visible to their front can group move into the terrain (not the entire group, only those with enemy to their front.) The following example explains;

Diagrams drawn to 15mm scale, all dimensions in "mm" unless otherwise specified.
	Fig A - a group of Auxilia approach to within 50mm of an orchard (150 paces) and reveal three defending Psiloi.
	Fig B - At this distance, the two groups are visible to each other. In the Auxlia's next movement bound, they can group move into contact. Had the distance between the two groups been over 150 paces, the Ax would not have spotted the defenders or been able to execute this move.

Group Moves out of Difficult Going terrain;
Any group movement cannot end in difficult going, therefore any group starting their movement bound in difficult going can group move out as long as they can entirely clear the DGo terrain. The following examples explain;

Example 1:

Fig A - a group of Cavalry are concealed close to the edge of a woods in ambush. They are formed up two ranks deep.

Fig B - Cavalry movement in DGo is only 2" (100p).The entire group is unable to move out because the rear rank will still be in DGo . Only the front rank can clear the woods so they can group move out with a single pip. The second rank must move out progressively using single element moves.

All mounted move 100p in DGo, so this problem will be applicable to all of them, even worse for troop types on deeper bases such as elephants, expendables and chariots.

Example 2:

Fig A - a combined group of Auxilia and supporting Psilio concealed in a woods.

Fig B - The group will break ambush and attempt to move out. Only the line of Auxilia alone can entirely clear the woods with a 3" group move for 1 pip, leaving the Psiloi behind.

Fig C - As the Ps are permitted to group move through DGo unrestricted, they can move in behind the Auxlia for an additional 1 pip. If march moving again, the whole group (Ax+Ps) could move off again for a single pip.

Example 3:

	Assuming DGo terrain features are narrow enough, it quite possible for troops to pass through them, move distances permitting. Fig A - a group of Ax approach a woods which is less than 50mm across at its widest.
	Fig B - the Auxilia are quite capable of passing through the DGo as long as they start close enough too it and end entirely clear of the woods at the end.

	Fig A - a combined group of Auxilia and supporting Psilio concealed in a woods.
	Fig B - The group will break ambush and attempt to move out. Only the line of Auxilia alone can entirely clear the woods with a 3" group move for 1 pip, leaving the Psiloi behind.
	Fig C - As the Ps are permitted to group move through DGo unrestricted, they can move in behind the Auxlia for an additional 1 pip. If march moving again, the whole group (Ax+Ps) could move off again for a single pip.