WFB3: Run Amok!

[Moe]

A few questions on this rule for Chariots/War Beasts. I'm not sure if this is clear in the rules so this may be just more of a question of how people play it.

If the Beast/Chariot runs amok while already in combat, does it just continue fighting (and the crew would not fight since they are hanging on)?

Is a Chariot Run Amok move just a one time thing, or does it continue to run Amok? If it continues do you play that it can recover from Running Amok like a War Beast?

Can running amok units be routed, and can they pursue as normal?

Thanks!
John

 

[Dreamfish]

Hi John,

If the Beast/Chariot runs amok while already in combat, does it just continue fighting (and the crew would not fight since they are hanging on)?

A war beast running amok automattically charges the closest target whether friend or foe. If no target within charge range, the war beast moves its full move distance in a random direction as determined by the GM. The creature diverts past buildings, but attacks them as it passes, the GM working out damage as necessary.

When already in close combat I would presume the creature will continue fighting until it can run towards the next closest target or away (GM decides). However the controller has lost control over the war beast so the entire crew will not be able to shoot or attack. They're hanging on for the lives.

At the end of the side's turn, the war beast may be brought under control by a successful 2D6 test against the controller's Ld. If further damage has been taken during the turn, the test may still be made, but subject to a disadvantageous dice modifier of +1 for every wound taken. If the controller is dead, another crew member may attempt to take control of the war beast, this requires a Ld test, but with +2 added to the dice roll, in addition to any modifiers for wounds. If the test is successful, the war beast is brought under control. If the test is failed, the war beast continues to run amok until it is slain or until it leaves the table. The crew do not get another chance to bring it back under control once the original controller is dead.

Is a Chariot Run Amok move just a one time thing, or does it continue to run Amok? If it continues do you play that it can recover from Running Amok like a War Beast?

The rules aren't clear on this matter. I imagine that the driver has lost control over the horses or other creatures carrying the chariot. The same rules for war beast for regaining control over the chariot could used. Something like:

At the end of the side's turn, the chariot may be brought under control by a successful 2D6 test against the driver's Ld. If the driver is dead, another crew member may attempt to take control of the chariot, this requires a Ld test, but with +2 added to the dice roll. If the test is successful, the chariot is brought under control. If the test is failed, the chariot continues to run amok until it is destroyed or until it leaves the table. The crew do not get another chance to bring it back under control once the original driver is dead.

Can running amok units be routed, and can they pursue as normal?

If a chariot unit is compelled to rout, models are turned around immediately and moved away just like ordinary routers.

The difference between running amok and routing is that when a chariot or war beasts runs amok the driver or controller has lost control over the creatures. A routing chariot or war beast still has a driver or controller in control and decides to redirect the chariot or war beast away from the nearest enemy towards safety.
So to answer your question. No, I don't think a chariot or war beast running amok can be routed. They are not in control. So whether they pursue or not is a decision for the GM to decide.

Cheers,
Dreamfish

 

[Moe]

Thanks Dreamfish, I am in agreement of all of your assessments, and was planning to use the rules for Rampaging War Beasts for Chariots. I think the 3rd edition rules are great, but there are certainly a number of gray areas!

I am thinking of some other house rules for Chariots as well...perhaps giving a -1 on the damage chart for Heavy and -2 for Wagons to represent the sturdiness of the Chariot, and multi-wound war engines do a # of hits to a chariot equal to their damage dice (the thinking being a big rock or cannon ball hit would be more potent then 1 arrow).

 

[Dreamfish]

perhaps giving a -1 on the damage chart for Heavy and -2 for Wagons to represent the sturdiness of the Chariot

The last couple of games I've played I had similiar thoughts about the Chariot rules. I expected heavy chariot to be well.. heavy, but was surprised there was no difference between them other than the movement restrictions. The above suggestion is a subtle addition to the rule.

Before reading your post I was busy adding the War Beast/Chariot rules to the WFB3 reference. Getting an overview of the current rules helps and saves time looking it up in the book. We've also setup a house rule document, I would gladely add them once they've been play tested.