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Hello all,

Can I request clarification on the use of the Pilum +5 factor. Is it used as a two hex range shooting weapon. Or used on contact before combat takes place. So for a full strengh unit would throw 4 dice in the combat phase not the shooting phase. Then engage in combat, unless the target unit recoils?

"Pilum (5+P) Single use weapon. Can be used only once
on first contact with an enemy unit"

Many thanks
Bertie.

Hi Bertie,
The Roman Pilum has a 1 hex range and can therefore only be used on first hex to hex contact with an enemy unit. The 5+ 'shooting' value will be increased by A1 or A2 armour to 6+ and 7+ respectively. The pilum is a single use weapon that can be used once by any unit during a game on first contact. Alternatively, it can be retained and presumably used in close combat. If not thrown in first contact it can still be used in any future first contact with an enemy. The loss of 1 or 2 stands from the unit will reduce the number of pilum dice to 3 or 2 respectively.
The plium is not used during the shooting phase but throwing the pilum is the first action to take place before any hand-to-hand combats are resolved.

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the reply, sometimes you just need a sense check. Your explanation fits in with my thoughts. I intend to add any hits scored by the pilum into the final factor from the combat round.

Thanks again.
Bertie,

Hi Bertie,
Your idea to add the pilum hits to the hand-to-hand final factor unfortunately will not produce a balanced combat outcome. The pilum result must be applied to the target unit causing a recoil, disruption, flee, no effect etc. Only after this effect has been applied as directed by the combat results table can the hand-to-hand combat be resolved separately.
If for example units of warrior hordes attack a Roman Legionary shield wall, some of the warrior units might be recoiled a hex by the plium and therefore will not fight with the legionaries in the following hand-to-hand combat phase. In the case of 'C' class warriors they would recoil a hex and become disrupted when receiving 3 hits from the pilum.

Hi Bertie,
The method we use adds a seperate operation for the pilum:
Movement,
Shooting (2 hex+) resolve results,
pilum (1 hex range) resolve results,
combat.

Regards
Gilgawath

Thanks gents for the explanation, taken on bored.

Bertie.

Taken on board, not bored far from it.