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The Fighting in Challenges p 211 rule does not work well when a Bretonnian unit is facing a lone fighty character. In particular, a character such as a mounted Chaos Lord can neutralise an entire unit of Grail Knights just by issuing challenges turn after turn. The challenge cannot be refused, and the rest of the unit just stands and watches while the character works through the knights one-by-one.

Grail Knights are an extreme example, but I think the problem is wider, as the rule really encourages you not to include any characters in Bretonnian units so that they do not end up losing the Lady's Blessing for refusing challenges. This seems silly.

Are the rules wonky, or is there something I have missed?

Nope. You're not missing anything.

The challenge rules have always been a bit wonky and can be abused in a number of ways.

Feadair wrote:
The Fighting in Challenges p 211 rule does not work well when a Bretonnian unit is facing a lone fighty character. In particular, a character such as a mounted Chaos Lord can neutralise an entire unit of Grail Knights just by issuing challenges turn after turn. The challenge cannot be refused, and the rest of the unit just stands and watches while the character works through the knights one-by-one.

Grail Knights are an extreme example, but I think the problem is wider, as the rule really encourages you not to include any characters in Bretonnian units so that they do not end up losing the Lady's Blessing for refusing challenges. This seems silly.

Are the rules wonky, or is there something I have missed?

Tying up a Chaos Lord for a whole game isn't necessarily a bad use of Grail Knights, since that Lord could really swing other combats. And there's a chance you'll chip him down or kill him, depending. Can also buy you time to get your Duke into the mix. So it's not all bad.

Yes, it can cut both ways, and a small Grail Knights unit tying down an expensive Chaos Lord can be a benefit, while a cheap, durable character tying down a Grail Knight deathstar would be a disaster.

Feels wonky, though - like a scene from a bad action movie where a bunch baddies conveniently attack a character one-by-one.

Feadair wrote:
Yes, it can cut both ways, and a small Grail Knights unit tying down an expensive Chaos Lord can be a benefit, while a cheap, durable character tying down a Grail Knight deathstar would be a disaster.

Feels wonky, though - like a scene from a bad action movie where a bunch baddies conveniently attack a character one-by-one.

Wonky, but appropriate. This is, after all, a Fantasy setting with wizards riding dragons and stuff.

We came across this situation today, but instead a unit of 10 Grail Knights got held up for most of the game by a single Empire Demigryph Champion, the Bretonnian player wasnt too amused by these rules.