Help - Complete Warrior Clarification (Historical Tactics)

[ddougan]

Hi All,

I recently got Complete Warrior, and am a bit confused about the Historical Tactics on p124.

If this has been covered before, just point me to a link, otherwise any help would be much appreciated!

Arrow Volley
There are a couple of issues I have here.

(1) It states that the Commander of the Archers makes a single attack roll - but doesn't say what the DC is based on.

(2) Having said the Commander makes a single attack roll, it then goes on to say in the example "if two rows of five archers each hit with an arrow volley" - suggesting there is either an individual attack roll occurring, or failing to make the DC by certain range reduces the number of successful volley hits.


Phalanx
This states that soldiers in a formation receive either +4 or +8 to the AC against ranged attacks (and I assume it acts as the virtual ceiling mentioned under Arrow Volley).

However, the section under Arrow Volley doesn't mention AC of individuals within the footprint of the volley fire - what gives?

Also, do phalanx units still have to make a DC 15 Reflex to avoid being hit?

Surely if rolling against an AC to hit, there is no reflex to avoid?


Thanks for any pointers/advice.

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

As far as the AC for the commander's roll goes, look at the previous paragraph:

Rather than aiming at a specific target, they concentrate their arrows in a specific area, hoping to hit whatever's there.

I interpret that as targeting a square, and thus has the standard AC 5 + mods (range, etc.) Then, everything within (# of archers) area makes the Reflex save.

As far as the phalanx bonus goes, I would possibly give a circumstance bonus to the Reflex save just because of the way a phalanx works (turtles anyone?). I don't think the writers took into account using both ideas at the same time when writing this part of the book...

I hope that helps.