EMPIRE DETACHMENT TACTICA
ALL ABOUT DETACHMENTS
Known throughout the Old World for their combat expertise, the foot soldiers
of The Empire employ a tactical formation know as the Detachment System. Detachments
are small units of troops that support parent units by staying close to lend
a helping hand. This support can be used to send deterring missile fire into
the oncoming enemies, or to slash at their flanks with swords, spears, and halberds.
PARENT UNITS
Only Units of Halberdiers, Spearmen, Swordsmen, Handgunners, Greatswords, and now Crossbowmen can be parent units. All of these units can also be Detachments, with the exception of Greatswords. In addition to those just listed, Archers, Huntsmen, and Free Companies can also be Detachments but not parent units. Each parent unit can have up to two Detachments supporting it, but these supporting units do not count toward the minimum number of Core Troops choices in the army.
DETACHMENTS
As mentioned, Detachments are smaller units that are deployed and move with a parent unit. How small and how close? Well, a Detachment can be as small as 5 models and can be a maximum of half the parent unit's size. Also, the Detachment must deploy at the same time as the parent unit and within 3" of it. Another key rule about Detachments (for full rules, see pp. 38-39 of Warhammer Armies: The Empire) are that they can't have a standard bearer, champion, or musician. Also, characters cannot join Detachments. Fortunately, with these disadvantages, detachments never cause Panic in friendly units.
USING DETACHMENTS
Detachments can be used in three ways if you remember they can use their parent unit's Leadership as long as they are within 3" of their parent unit. These three support techniques are Support Fire, Countercharge, and Supporting Charge.
SUPPORTING FIRE
This combat support technique allows the detachment to stand and shoot missile weapons at a unit charging the parent unit. The detachment does not suffer the -1 To Hit penalty, since they themselves are not being charged (for full rules, see p. 39 of Warhammer Armies: The Empire).
COUNTERCHARGE
This technique works just like it sounds. This Detachment rule allows your support units to charge into the flanks of the enemy unit once your parent unit has been assailed. The strength of this manoeuvre is that if your unit can see the enemy flank, and has enough Movement to reach it; they can charge the side of the enemy even if they normally would be required to charge the front (for full rules and illustrations, see p. 39 of Warhammer Armies: The Empire)
SUPPORTING CHARGE
Finally, a look at the supporting charge. This method allows the Detachment to charge into combat with the parent unit. Once again, the strength of this tactic is in the fact that the Detachment can charge into the enemy unit's flank even though it would normally have to attack the front. Again, if the support unit can draw a line-of-sight to the flank, and has enough Movement, it can charge the side instead of the front (again, for full rules and illustrations, see p.39 of Warhammer Armies: The Empire).
Next:
Strategies for using Detachments
Previous: Introduction
