Column Standing when Charged, no Fire?

[Mjpee]

If an infantry line is charged by an infantry unit, it gets a +3 in the shock combat representing defensive fire if it stands (i.e. does nothing). If a line fires generally, it gets a +2, column fires it gets a +0, and square -1. But what about if an infantry column is charged by an infantry unit and it elects to stand. It seems to get no fire bonus for defensive fire in the melee? Yet, a column next to it can fire at the charger and provide a bonus. This doesn't make any sense. Am i missing something? A column standing to take a charge should get at least some bonus for firing at the charger (+1 or something).

What am i missing?

[Ph FERLAY]

Last time, I met the same event : a militia unit with the order (maneuver) it couldn’t counter-attack; so, I withstand with a factor of (-1) for fire by militia : I lost the fight.
The normal way to react for an unit in column (all militia excluding the Hanover one are in column) is to counter-attack, not firing.
As there’s no bonus for firing, it means that the coefficient is just zero. But depending on the unit’s characteristics, you might add bonus linked to fire : stubborn, skirmishers (better FT 1 or 2), and others features like small or large unit, and so on). A better moral make also the unit fire better.
This is my point of view.

[Mjpee]

Sure, counter charging is an option i guess. However, it just makes no sense to me that a unit in Column being charged cannot get a bonus for firing at the charging unit as part of the Shock. If not being charged, it can fire. If a column is supporting it, it can also fire at the charger giving a +1 as i understand it. So if a column can fire in support of a column being charged giving a +1 why in the world can the column being charged itself not give a +1 for firing at the charger?

In the normal firing rules, infantry line is a +2, Column a 0. But in the shock, infantry line moves up to +3. Shouldn't column move up to +1?

Make it make sense.

Or i am just missing/misunderstanding something....which is highly possible.

Of course, what I do in the privacy of my own home is my business and on my table a column that stands and can fire will get a +1.

[RogerGreenwood]

'Column' covers both an attack column, and what would be a much narrower formation, a column for movement. I assume the fact that a unit standing to receive a charge is the latter, hence receives no factor.

[RogerGreenwood]

It is quite unusual to be in a situation where a column cannot countercharge. Usually it means it has been caught with manoeuvre orders. In this case we assume it is not deployed for combat and caught by surprise.

The brilliance of this game is the order system. Learning not to get caught on manoeuvre orders is important. If you suspect the enemy in front have attack orders, it is somewhat unwise to get into charge reach if on manoeuvre.
The only time 'manoeuvre' is compulsory is under a surprise scenario, and the enemy will be under the same orders. If you want to gamble that your division will change orders first then you may have to take the consequences of failure.

[Mjpee]

'Column' covers both an attack column, and what would be a much narrower formation, a column for movement. I assume the fact that a unit standing to receive a charge is the latter, hence receives no factor.

Huh? Who is going to be in maneuver column in Tactical distance/charge range of enemy infantry? While i appreciate your thoughts, you are missing the point of the main question. If a unit, ready for battle - let's say in column on hold orders - is in column and is charged by a column why cannot it not get any bonus for standing and firing when a friendly unit in column next to it can provide a bonus for firing at the charger. So the one unit is assumed to be in maneuver column but the unit directly next to it is assumed to be in column of divisions and can fire? It makes no sense. Either columns as a general rule cannot fire at chargers (or at all) or a defending column should be able to stand and get some bonus for firing at the charger. But to have a column charged not be able to fire to defend itself but a column right next to it be able to fire to provide support just makes zero sense.

[Mjpee]

It is quite unusual to be in a situation where a column cannot countercharge. Usually it means it has been caught with manoeuvre orders. In this case we assume it is not deployed for combat and caught by surprise.

The brilliance of this game is the order system. Learning not to get caught on manoeuvre orders is important. If you suspect the enemy in front have attack orders, it is somewhat unwise to get into charge reach if on manoeuvre.
The only time 'manoeuvre' is compulsory is under a surprise scenario, and the enemy will be under the same orders. If you want to gamble that your division will change orders first then you may have to take the consequences of failure.

My example has nothing to do with orders. Please read it closely as you seem to not be understanding the actual question.

[Adrian Steer]

Hi This is quite a difficult thread to follow but simply put units in column get a +2 attack bonus, units in line a +1 bonus. Units in line get a +3 defence bonus, columns in defence nothing and squares get a -1 against infantry charge. However units in column and units in line get the same defence bonus against cavalry depending on the flanks supports they have. So if a line of infantry charges a stationary column it only gets a +1 bonus overall which to me seems reasonable as they would volley by a lot more muskets and dive in with a lot more pointy objects. The game is pretty nicely balanced and works well.

[fdunadan]

The basic combat factor depends of the formation (line, column, square) and the attitude (countercharge or stand and fire). Each unit has a different factor so a column counter charging will be at +2 and only +0 if stand and firing.
The +1 for fire support of an adjacent column is not a basic factor but a support factor: it would be the same if it was a square, a Sk or a line doing the fire support.