Making a column

[MikeCampbell]

You have to measure the position of the front corners after the group has moved - hence the example posted is wrong - it is not measuring the front corners after the group has moved - it is measuring where some other element corners are - not the front ones.

[andrew]

In a stepped* formation which corners are the 'front corners'?  *Stepped meaning multiple files but the outermost files are lined up with the second rank of the most forward file.

[MikeCampbell]

Dunno off hand which they are - I think there's a message or 2 on the list covering the topic a few years ago & I'll look it up - but whichever corners they are it is the ones that count as the front corners at the end that matter.

A quick search found this - http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/DBMMlist/message/40435  Doesn't answer the question about unequal ranks, but does about forming columns

I haven't found anything specific, but I'd play it that they are still the front corners of the front rank.

this will disadvantage such a formation compared to having a formation where the front rank has at least as many elements as each subsequent ank - elements are still all limited to moving the same speed as the slowest element.  So that rear rank element out on one flank can only more that far - if hte formation wheels then I'm prety sure geometry will then require that the front corners of the front rank must both move less than that distance - which will invoke the PIP penalty for "moving short"

[andrew]

Interesting - the group movement rules refer to the 'outermost corner' (when wheeling a group other than a column) but the PIP expenditure section refers to the 'front corners'....

[Chris_Hanley]

Mea Culpa.
I must retract my earlier statement about the number of PIP?s required to move into a column.  It has nothing to do with the distance of the corners but simply the action of forming column and is the same as moving from a column.  For regulars this is 1 PIP and for irregulars 2.  Phil reckons these are the most common manoeuvres carried out by any body of armed men and this should be reflected in the PIP?s.  Please accept my apologies for any confusion my earlier erroneous statement may have caused.
Chris Hanley

[vexillia]

Mea Culpa. I must retract my earlier statement about the number of PIP?s required to move into a column.  Please accept my apologies for any confusion my earlier erroneous statement may have caused.

No problem and thanks for sorting this.