Forced Multiple Assault.

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**Belphegor**

40k5th - Page: 34 - "If possible, the model must move into base contact with any enemy model within reach that is not already in base contact with an assaulting model."
Does this indicate that an opponent can functional force a multiple assault? I've previously thought that assaulting multiple units was a choice.

Example Scenario:
Player Two has 2 Single Model Units (K&X) that are placed with one inch of each other.
Player One has a Single Unit (A) with three models (m,n,o) and is charging K.

m is the closest model to K and is moved via a straight line to contact K
n can contact X and still maintain unit coherency, is it FORCED to engage X over K even though the unit did not declare an assault against it?

If so or if not. Why?

**insaniak**

Theoretically, yes, the assault rules don't specify that you only have to engage unbased models from the same unit... just that you have to move onto unbased enemy models if possible. So if the only enemy models in assault range are from another unit, and your model can be moved into base contact with them without breaking coherency, technically you would have to do so.

From my experience, though, on the table players tend to go with the approach that multi-assaulting is optional. YMMV.

**Gwar!**

Insaniak has it spot on there.

To be honest, Multi assault are generally rare and a Good Thing™ for the assaulters.

**Belphegor**

Thank you for the response, insaniak.
I was looking for rulings or notes on this topic (FAQs and otherwise) and have not been able to find anything.

Another example if this is so: A unit of 6 models assaulting a unit of 5 models that is next to a vehicle.
It seems as if this is the case the 6th model would be forced to assault the vehicle regardless of it's ability to damage it.

- The original question was inspired by the scenario of a group of 12 daemonettes charging the a squad of 5 plague bearers that was flanked by 2 nurgle daemon princes.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
A note on my local.
Tau, Daemons, Eldar, Tyranids, Necrons and Guard make the majority of the armies.
We only have 2 Chaos Marine players and a Codex Marine player representing the Astartes.
So assaults are frequently multi.

**insaniak**

Belphegor wrote:It seems as if this is the case the 6th model would be forced to assault the vehicle regardless of it's ability to damage it.

That would potentially be correct... but it comes down to the actual placement of the models. The vehicle would have to be close enough that the model can charge it while finishing his movement in coherency with another model from his unit.

And if you wanted to avoid having to do so, it would potentially be possible to prevent it through choosing which order to move the models in...

**Telemicus**

the assault rules don't specify that you only have to engage unbased models from the same unit... just that you have to move onto unbased enemy models if possible.

See sentences 3&4 of paragraph 2 of Moving Assaulting Models, they do infact specify.

Multiple Assaults must be declared.

**HoverBoy**

And on the next page the whole of the "assaulting multiple enemies" rule proves you wrong as it clearly states you only need to declare the original target and then are free to move in base contact with other units to get them charged as well.

**DevianID**

HoverBoy surely you can move freely into other units WHEN you declare a multiple assault? IE, unit 1 is normal and unit 2 states 'when charged, the assaulting unit counts as having moved through dangerous terrain.' You declare an assault on unit 1, and after moving 5 or so models decide you are assaulting unit 2 as well, despite not declaring such. Now all models may have to be moved back, because all models must test for terrain, including models that have already moved.

**Telemicus**

HoverBoy wrote:And on the next page the whole of the "assaulting multiple enemies" rule proves you wrong as it clearly states you only need to declare the original target and then are free to move in base contact with other units to get them charged as well.[/quote
]

It sais you have to "...keep following the rules for Moving Assaulting models. " Under Moving Assaulting Models it states"...(going around impassable tarrain, friendly models and enemy models not being assaulted). " As we all know the second step in the Assault Phase Summary is to "Declare wich enemy unit it is going to assault.", since premeasureing is forbidden not declaring the second unit at the same time as your primary assault could be considered cheating by alot of players and generaly is ,well only if you've read all the relevant rules. Thus obtaining the distance to the primary assault before you declare secondary assaults is still premeasurement.

However the OP asked if a multiple assault could be forced on an assault ing squad and the answer is no.
and yes this rule cotadicts it self>

**HoverBoy**

DevianID wrote:HoverBoy surely you can move freely into other units WHEN you declare a multiple assault? IE, unit 1 is normal and unit 2 states 'when charged, the assaulting unit counts as having moved through dangerous terrain.' You declare an assault on unit 1, and after moving 5 or so models decide you are assaulting unit 2 as well, despite not declaring such. Now all models may have to be moved back, because all models must test for terrain, including models that have already moved.

Yes you will move back to account for terrain when charging unit 2 but there is still nothing in the rules that claims you must declare it, you just say "oh this model can't charge without terrain as per the assaulting through cover rules i will start over" still no need to let ur opponent what you're doing

Altho at that point it's rally a pointless jest as your intentions would be obvious it still is the rules.

**Belphegor**

Telemicus: See sentences 3&4 of paragraph 2 of Moving Assaulting Models, they do infact specify. Multiple Assaults must be declared.

40k5th - Page: 34 - The first sentence under: Assaulting Multiple Enemy Units - "As you move assaulting models, you may find it is possible to reach other enemy units that are close to the one you are assaulting."
This is indirect conflict with your view that multiple assaults must be declared.

As is the first sentence of the second paragraph under Moving Assaulting Models:
40k5th - Page: 34 - : Assaulting units must attempt to engage as many opposing models as possible with as many models as possible - no holding back!.
This sentence does not specify that you may only move models against declared units either.
The third and second sentences are only referencing the first model moved from the assaulting unit.
Multi-assault declaration is not supported by sentences three and four. It is also not supported by context or specification in the following bullet points or paragraphs either.

- Terrain has nothing to do with this topic. Please don't argue about that here and start a new thread.

**HoverBoy**

@ Belphegor:

Good on ya for doing what i was too lazy to do