THAT question....

[Ronin40000]

Ok, so I've heard this rule like a dozen times and everytime I want to look it up but in the end just don't really care that much to bother, but last night at the league it came up, sooooooo I figured I'd turn over to the masses and get your opinion...

The Situation:

Got a character (or a squad, I'm saying character as I'm relating the situation as it occurred last night) that just got charged in combat. He survives (somehow) and now a squad charges into combat to support.

The Dilemma:

As I've been told, the squad that charged the character cannot allocate any attacks into the new squad that charged in to support unless they finish off the character. I've also been told they can allocate after a turn has elapsed. Various interpretations?

The Question:
How does everyone understand this rule? Anyone have a page reference to support?

[Enigmai]

Page 41 describes multiple assualts...

MULTIPLE COMBATS
Combats that involve more than two units are called ‘multiple combats’ (see the diagram below for an example). Because of the extra complexity, they need some additional rules, which are provided on this page.

DEFENDERS REACT
If a unit that is already locked in combat from a previous turn is assaulted by a new enemy unit, it can react as normal. Its models must be moved into base contact with models from any of the units that they are fighting, not just the enemies that just assaulted them.

ATTACKING
In multiple combats, when it is time for a model to attack, the following extra rules apply:
• Models that were engaged with just one of the enemy units at the beginning of the combat (before any model attacked) must attack that unit.
• Models that were engaged with more than one enemy unit at the beginning of the combat (before any model attacked) may split their attacks freely between those units. Declare how they are splitting their attacks immediately before rolling to hit.

In Summary, you must attack what you are in base to base with regardless of which unit it is and when it assualted (remember that Independent Characters are considered a seperate unit in assault). Support attacks can be allocated to any legal target regardless of when they assualted.

I have read and reread and I now disagree with what was previously ruled.

[Ronin40000]

Let the arguing commence...JK...frankly, I agree with the idea that a unit that's charged should be able to react to whoever is in base combat.

It doesn't really make sense to have a unit go "OH NOOOO, THEY ATTACKED US FROM BEHIND...IGNORE THEM AND PRESS THE ATTACK ON...UM....THAT GUY!" instead of being combat specialists and fighting those around them.

But I've been screwed on this rule more often than not and given that it came up last night, I thought it'd be a good idea to resolve it. Any other takes on this rule?

[Enigmai]

Everytime I read the rules I get another meaning, it's like looking at a painting that has multiple images in it and depending on how you look at it you will see different images.

The difference maker for me is how it describes the defender:
If a unit that is already locked in combat from a previous turn is assaulted by a new enemy unit, it can react as normal.

and

how it defines beginning of combat:
(before any model attacked)

the unclear area that creates all of the confussion is how engaged is defined. It can have multiple meanings in the given context and as a result RAW (rule as written) is difficult to apply to this situation without arguement and confussion.

[Ronin40000]

The part that I'm hung up on is that "If a unit that is already locked in combat from a previous turn is assaulted by a new enemy unit, it can react as normal"

This tells me that the attacker has to press the assault while the supporting unit charges them and can't react appropriately until the next turn...as they were locked from a previous turn and assaulted

But Tim I agree...it seems to be a very fuzzy thing

[Haf]

In Summary, you must attack what you are in base to base with regardless of which unit it is and when it assualted (remember that Independent Characters are considered a seperate unit in assault). Support attacks can be allocated to any legal target regardless of when they assualted.

Incorrect.

Per latest FAQ:

ERRATA
Page 41 – Multiple Combats, Attacking.
A third bullet point should be added, as follows:
• Models that at the beginning of the combat (before
any model attacked) were engaged with more than
one enemy unit, but were in base contact with just one
of the enemy units, must attack that unit.

released Jan. 2012

[ChobitsCrazy]

So what I'm seeing is that any model that has already been in assault has to attack the models it was already in assault with, unless they can't then they would attack the new unit say you react and push the models you want 6" away from the original unit or something.

[Enigmai]

Thanks Haf, I missed that FAQ...
So we are back to the beginning of this mess.

1. React as normal must be referring only to the pile in moves.
2. If locked in assualt and assualted by other units all attack must be allocated to the unit or units in the previous assualt unless there are nothing left to attack or if the model is outside of the support range of the original assualt thus not engaged.

I dislike this rule but it is what it is.

[Ronin40000]

Yeah, I agree...it doesn't make a ton of sense...but we are playing 40K after all

So I would also presume that initiative order counts as well. meaning if I wipe the squad i was attacking at init 5, then at init 4 and 1 I can turn and face my new attackers?

Is everyone interpreting it as that as well?

[ChobitsCrazy]

That makes sense as well. In the initiative order the original squad is no longer there, therefore your only in base to base with the "new" unit and are allowed to attack it.