A question on impetuous move

[Xilophon76]

Hello,

my first post here, so be kind to me!

Assume that there is a single impetuous troop (WW) on the side of an enemy troop (EE) like below:

EE  WW

The impetuous troop is facing downwards in my figure and the enemy troop is facing upwards. There is some space between them. Assume for simplicity that there is no other opponent on the field. The WW troop moves impetuous.

Looking at the rules: if WW advances forward this will bring it more far away from EE, that is the nearest enemy. So I look in the other option, that says that WW should rotate the minimum to contact... but this will bring WW into front to flank contact with EE, that is forbidden by another rule! So what happens?

My guesses :

WW is forced to (very stupidly!) move forward
WW stays still
Any other ?? 


Thanks a lot.
     
 

[landmeister]

If WW will end closer to the enemy rear edge table, it moves straight ahead. I know, it sounds weird, but it's what the rules say. 

[Barritus]

G'day Xilophon and welcome to the forum.

In answer to your question, the thing to keep in mind is Phil Barker's philosophy when it comes to impetuous troops, which boils down to a couple of main points: (a) being impetuous is not supposed to make things easier but harder, and (b) men in battle have tunnel vision and can't be expected to spontaneously take advantage of opportunities to their flanks.

So while going straight ahead seems unintelligent and unhelpful from our lofty position above the battlefield, most of the scared men that the element represents are only looking straight ahead. If you want them to change direction you need to either place an element in their path at an angle, or you need to spend PIPs on them.

[Xilophon76]

Thanks a lot for the anwers, actually it makes full sense!