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I was surprised the other day when looking through the BGB I discovered that the only requirement to charge multiple units was to declare that the unit would charge those units, follow the standard procedure of assaulting a single unit; but maintain coherency with your single squad.

I discovered this rules change (at least, it seemed a change to me) when my wife charged two units (that were in nearly opposite directions) with her plaguebearers.  She eventually wiped one of the units out and had to consolidate into the remaining combat, but for a bit (the assault phase in which she assaulted), she had a single line of plaguebearers stretched 2" apart so that she could get the maximum number of models engaged, as specified by the book.  Following that assault phase, she consolidated into both close combats, taking herself out of coherency.  Once she defeated one of my squads in close combat, she consolidated into the other one and fought the remainder of the close combat as normal.

Did we do it right?

Posted By Tiderian on 02/01/2007 11:09 PM
 Following that assault phase, she consolidated into both close combats, taking herself out of coherency.

This is actually a 'Pile In' rather than consolidating... but both Pile Ins and Consolidating require the unit to maintain coherency.

You also can't generally charge two units in opposite directions.

When you declare your charge, you move the first model into base contact.

The second model moved, and each subsequent model, must end its move within coherency of another model from the same unit that has already moved, in base contact with an enemy if possible.

So while it is possible to charge in two different directions, the placing of the models to do it would have to be so precise as to make it rather unlikely.

As Insaniak said, you have to maintain coherency while doing all of this. Casualty removal can force you to break it, but Piling In CANNOT. If you get strung out like this, you are likely to wind up with models in the middle very awkwardly placed and unable to move until and unless you manage to defeat one of the enemy units.

The other thing to remember is that pg 37 of the BGB gives a list of requirements for how you can move your assault troops.

"The most important one [rule] is that each model must end its charge move in coherency with another model in its own unit that has already moved."

Thus, you could not charge two consecutive models in opposite directions if the end of the second model's move placed it out of coherency with the first model that had moved.

The rules go on to spell out the other important things you have to check as you make your assault move. Really, the only way to assault to units simultaneously is if they are close enough together that, during each consecutive model's movement, coherency is maintained, enemy models which can be reached (base-to-base) have all been reached, and all assaulting models end up engaged if their movement would have allowed it.

All spelled out pretty clearly, actually.

Sal.

Exactamundo.

Posted By Saldiven on 02/02/2007 7:34 AM
The other thing to remember is that pg 37 of the BGB gives a list of requirements for how you can move your assault troops.

"The most important one [rule] is that each model must end its charge move in coherency with another model in its own unit that has already moved."

Thus, you could not charge two consecutive models in opposite directions if the end of the second model's move placed it out of coherency with the first model that had moved.

The 'other thing'?

That's exactly what I said...

Yes, thanks for all those details, what it really boils down to is this:

As long as a unit can (1)reach every unit it declared charges against, and (2)maintain coherency between its models during the assault moves (in the prescribed order), it may charge any number of units in any direction(s).

Remember that the assault rules give a couple of other requirements too. Like trying to get into base contact where possible, and trying to get into supporting range where not. These can make it virtually impossible to assault in two different directions if your unit is not very large.

Yes, it could be virtually impossible, or it could be trivial.

Some are under the delusion that a unit can not charge in opposite directions, or can not charge 2 or more units, but these things aren't the case.  Sure there are specific restrictions, but multiple charging is possible, and even easy in most situations.

I don't know if I'd say "most" situations. I find that my Marines are rarely able to do it unless two enemy units are right next to each other. On the rare occasions I've played Tyranids, it's much easier.

It's also easier for some units with gimungous bases, like Eldar jetbikes with their standard-issue flying bases. Usually it's geometrically impossible to charge more than one unit when they are more than 4" apart, but with larger bases it's possible, for example, to charge the warlock with his witchblade against a vehicle and then put everybody else in base-to-base with a nearby infantry unit without breaking the coherency rule.

...I find that my Marines are rarely able to do it...

Yes, for an average full strength squad size of 6  (for standard las plas marines) "most situations" is the wrong language, point conceeded, but for squad size >=10, Tyranids, Kroot, IG, Chaos Marines etc, it's often trivial.

As you say, it's easier with more than ten. As my marines, CSM, and eldar rarely have units larger than 10...