Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I play several different miniature games and sometimes get the different rules confused.
And this may have happened here.

Anyway, it has to do with flank attacks. For some reason, I had it in my mind that flank attacks removed the ability to make use of supporting attacks.
But as I re-read the rules, I don't see it mentioned.

So here is the situation:

Unit A is a horde of 38 greatswords in plate armor (3 ranks of 10 with an incomplete 4th rank).
Unit B is a block of like armed men in 4 ranks of 6
Unit C is a small unit of 8 men rank of five with an incomplete second rank.


Unit A is engaged to the front with unit B. after one round of combat, Unit C hits unit A in the flank.

So the question is, excluding the figs in contact to their right flank with unit C, can the figs in unit A 2nd & 3rd rank make supporting & horde attacks to their front?

The 8th edition battle bible (which as far as I know collects FAQs, rules, and errata, and the additions/changes are in their own section) says that supporting attacks cannot be made to the sides or rears.
I just checked the rulebook itself, and I don't know what version you have (hardback or starter set) so I won't say page number, but in the section about Fighting A Round Of Close Combat, there's a subheading for Supporting Attacks and it explains that with a little graphic.

I have the hard cover book, the one that is 512 pages.
In the section on supporting attacks, it doesn't address my specific question in the text or by illustration.

Maybe an illustration (if i can do it right) will help:

- - - A A A A - - - -
- - A A A A A A A - -
B B B B B B B B B Z Z
B B X X X X X X C Z Z
B B X X X X X X C Z Z
- - - - 0 0 0 0 C Z
- - - - - - - - - Z


The flank charge occurred after the original round of combat, so there have been some losses already.
There are three units involved: unit A & unit Z are on one side
B, X and 0 are all models from the same unit. They have different identifiers to make the question easier.

I know that models marked "B" have to fight to their front and models marked "C" have to fight unit "Z" to their flank

The question is in regard to those models marked X.
The first row of "x" (occupying the second rank of the formation) would appear to qualify as a supporting attack as they are directly behind a model fighting to its front.
Likewise with the second rank of model's marked X -they appear to qualify as it is part of a horde.

The only exceptions to the supporting attack rule is that the model in question can't be fighting to the side or rear, or be in base contact with the enemy.
None of those exceptions apply to the models marked with an "x".

Under the combat results, there is specific language about losing a rank bonus if attacked in flank by a unit with at least two ranks of five - which was not the case here as there were only 8 models left in the unit.

So a plain reading of the text doesn't say a flank attack negates supporting ranks that are not in enemy contact.
But maybe there is some addendum or subsequent version that I am recalling but cannot find?

Oh, I misunderstood the question.

The models marked X can attack to their front. Your plain reading is correct.

Thank you.
I think I have been making this mistake for years.