Hey guys,

We encountered a timing issue with issuing orders. Must all orders be issued at the very beginning of the command phase based off everyone's current positions, or do you evaluate positions as each order is given?

Here's the rule: "A unit must normally have at least one of its miniatures within 12" of a Command Section's Unit Leader to receive an Order…"

Here's the setup: At the beginning of the command phase, the closest figure of the Gunners squad I want to issue an order to is 16" away from my command section's leader (and therefore out of the 12" command range.) Is it legal to first issue a Move order to the command squad and move it so that the leader is now within 12" of the Gunners squad and then issue that squad its own order? (assuming I have at least two orders to give, and no special rules, like Radioman, are available.)

Or, are the Gunners ineligible to receive an order at all that turn since they started the turn outside of command range?

What you are describing is not only legal, it is smart tactics if getting that unit an order is crucial. The inverse is also true, I made the mistake once (and only once) of moving my command squad first in my first turn, only to discover I had nobody left to in range after said movement to issue my last two orders to. My command squad got punished by my enemy, and it nearly cost me the game.

Yeah, I thought I was a genius for trying it. My opponent disagreed with it's validity. It was our first game and I was the only one with a rulebook, so I elected not to do it. Next time… no more Mr. Nice Guy!

We hit the same thing today, and we defaulted to the "play it where it lies" mentality. Especially at the Command Phase, the orders all go out at once (including the ones issued for the Command Unit.) However, as it isn't written explicitly, house rules FTW! This might get the next FAQ…love being part of a ruleset near the beginning of general play!

This rule does NOT need Erratta or FAQ. It is clearly stated as the very first sentence in the Command Phase rules under the, "Command Sections" heading. Page 30, 2nd Paragraph, 1st sentence…

"During the Command phase, units take actions when a Command Section issues an Order."

It clearly states units take actions when the Command Section issues an order.

Let's walk through it, Rules as CLEARLY Written, shall we…

I'll keep it simple, and say you rolled 1 success in the initiative phase and you have a command section which grants you an additional order in the command phase, for a total of two. You issue the first order to your command section and tell them to move, which you must do now, before issuing a second order because the rule states, " units take actions when the Command Section issues an order." Now, if during your move action you had the misfortune to move the leader of your command section more than 12" away from any other units, then barring a radioman, a hero-led unit, or some other special rule such as BlutKreuz Apes, you are S.O.L. on issuing your second order. However, if you moved your Command Section's Keader to within 12" of a unit which wasn't initially in 12" range, you are good to go to give them an order, because you now issue your second order to them, and they now take action, Rules as Written. Sorry guys, this one isn't broken, or even in need of clarification. Just careful reading.

I see it now. Funny reading a rule set in isolation. Thanks Shadow.

yakmandoo said:

You're welcome! Happens to me all the time. I started a thread several days ago which hilighted rules I missed the first read-thru. I usually give a new game a quick browse to see how it fits together, then read through it once, then play a couple games , then read through it again for the "Aha - that's how it works" moments. Then, after 15-20 games I read it again to find the hidden gems and fine print stuff to better teach it to others. That's what I spent Friday doing, lol, so this one was pretty fresh on my mind.

Making more read-runs through the core book; I can't seem to find the reference for "…Grants an additional Order…". Completely agree that the "move" to get to command distance is the correct take (I've had my Command sections zig-zagging back and forth to keep squads healthy or walkers repaired).

We've accidentally played with an "Unfriendly Command Environment" AKA Forgot that you get at least ONE Command even if you roll blanks in your I-Phase. But I only see "additional" in terms of the applicability of "Special Orders" beyond Take Action or Regroup not in terms of ADDING commands to those rolled (with the lower limit being ONE as a gimmie for poor rolls).

Thoughts?

Command squad ability grants you an additional command phase order. Page 54

Right as rain!… skipped over it and the "Special Abilities" entries on the Platoon build pages don't ref back to page 54 as a hint.

Much Thanks!

Then heroes are or are not afforded the same extra order when they are "leading" a platoon instead of a CS?

Best

Luddite

Ludditeyes said:

Correct

Correct which?… Extra Order / No Extra Order.

Best

Luddite

Ludditeyes said:

Lol, sorry. Heroes do not get the extra order because none of them have the 'command squad' special ability

Ah… the wisdom of the forum prevails.

Having a great time with this Game. May it live long and prosper.

Best

Luddite