A question about Bw(X) - asked by Julian Hannam, 1 June 2025

Gentlemen, looking for clarification on BwX (frontal) combat abilities. Regulars fight as SpO, Irregulars as SpI, so far so easy. If this is the full answer then in their own turn AND opponent turn the Regulars get +1 from the rear rank. Irregulars only get the +1 in Enemy turn. Is this what is understood, or as I’ve been told previously, there is no +1 rear rank at all.

And remember “Taham-tan zanam” - We’ll fight till the last drop of our blood. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/824840264342234/posts/2935650996594473/

Barry Norris

Bow(X) whether regular or irregular get a supporting rank of bow in the opponent's bound if double-based. Regular Bow(X) do not get a supporting rank in their own bound. Firstly only spears provide a supporting rank, not bow. Secondly while they fight as though they were spears, Bow(X) are not actually spears. Bow(X) also always provide an overlap. One thing that is a bit ambiguous is whether knights flee from them or not. The common reading seems to be not since they are effectively spears in close combat.

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Kenneth Chan

Barry Norris, Kn does not flee from BwX as they fight as Sp.

Vincent Cholewa

Admin

Group expert

+1

Julian Hannam, would this be an inquiry on behalf of immortals and sparabara?

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Julian Hannam

Author

Top contributor

Vincent Cholewa yes totally

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Vincent Cholewa

Admin

Group expert

+1

Julian Hannam looking forward to seeing them in action in Levin 

Kenneth Chan

For Sp to give support the Second rank must be of the same grade of Sp or specially allowed by Army list the +. Since second rank of BwX is BW so no. In addition there is a specific line for BwX that take precedence

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Ion A Dowman

Man, things have changed a lot from the old DBM days. There my Bw(X) counted as a single rank of Sp(I) in close combat with enemy foot, and some horse. I always thought that too punitive and that Sp(o) was appropriate.

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Julian Hannam

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Thanks team, and I assume that as the front rank are fighting as spear the +1 for fighting behind Bow(S) or (O), and being the same grade, also doesn’t count?

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Vincent Cholewa

Admin

Group expert

+1

Julian Hannam double-based Bw(X) get +1 in close combat in enemy bound against all opponents unless the Bw(X) are in difficult terrain (and why would they ever be in difficult ground!) or manning TF or PF.

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Barry Norris

Julian Hannam The definition of Bow(X) is pretty clear. They get rear support if double-based with Bows. "They are otherwise ineligible to give or receive rear support."