(TFT) Spear vs. Shortsword maneuvers

[Peter von Kleinsmid <pvk@oz.net>]

You both make good points. I think it depends on where there are 
obstacles, or not, too. If the arena is confined narrowly enough, or 
even if it has enough pillars, spear guy can advance more while still 
denying his side/rear hexes to a long move by sword.

I haven't done this in a while, so maybe I'm missing something, but:

On the Melee map, it's wide and open enough that although spear can 
deny his side/rear hexes completely by using the walls, he can't then 
charge to the other side. However he can always move 5 or less to a 
hex within 11 of spear, where sword can't move to side/rear. On the 
Melee map, this is guaranteed by the wall hexes which block 3 
facings. On a wide open plain, this is guaranteed by always being 
able to move far enough away. This means that (unless Sword runs 
away), spear can count on eventually winning an initiative at range 7 
to 11, moving second to end a turn at range 4-6, which gives spear a 
50% chance of winning initiative and getting to charge, without 
giving sword a move of 5 or less to a side/rear.

And that means that sword can engage spear but not attack on the turn 
he does. Which means spear can disengage without being attacked, 
leading to an initiative roll and range 2. If spear wins, he charges; 
is sword wins, he runs around and engages side/rear, spear turns to 
face and a non-charge occurs.

So (and this sounds familiar from looking at this in years past, but 
maybe I mis-remember) this looks like a 75% chance for spear to cause 
a charge, to me.

I don't really mind the simulator assuming a first-round charge. 
There are a few edge cases in favor of polearms which the simulator 
doesn't take into account - such as knockdowns or disengagement 
leading to a possible later charge attack, or (in Advanced Melee) 
polearms going first on charges, and two-hex jabs.

PvK

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