Flying units against hills

[Edmund2011]

Hello,

Unit A is Infantery on the top of a hill.

Unit B is a Monster able to fly.

Unit B charges Unit A.

Unit A counts as defended (5+ to hit) or as in the open (4+)?

The rules explain that infantery and artillery on hills are defended because they are over the enemy, and because of the terrain too. As the chargers fly it seems logical that the attack comes from above, so the target  counts as in the open, but it can be open to interpretations, so I wanted to ask how the rules treat this situation.

Thanks!

[Guthwine]

I think the easiest way is to count them as defended if they come from a lower level. The flying just gives them more speed otherwise they have to obey the regular rules. At least thats how I would play it.

[vincent]

Yes, this how the rule should be played.

[Lex]

Yes, this how the rule should be played.

Agree, even to the extend that the original position and direction of the charge is leading in determining the defended status.

[Edmund2011]

Perfect! Thanks guys.

Lex, could you explain that a little bit more, please?

[Lex]

Yup. This is however a bit more extreme and should certainly be considered a house-rule, but it does make short work of some of the movement hanky-panky sometimes seen at the tables.

Check the position of unit A(ttacker) vs that of the D(effender) at the start of the order that brings them in contact. If A is at a lower level then D, then D will claim defended bonus.

The "effect" this aims to avoid is a second unit of the attacking brigade that makes the flank of the defender (LOS and blocked frontal access) and claims to "attack from the same lvl as the defenders" (because they come on on the side    and yes, there are some cheeky git out there !!) to get non-defended status and "in the open"  charge bonus.

[vincent]

The rules never state clearly when this "lower ground" status shall be checked.
Some persons are checking this BEFORE the charge (as Lex proposed), other AFTER the charge.
Thus, somehow, both are house-rules

Checking before makes more sense to me as well.

[Edmund2011]

understood, thanks.

Yes, checking before seems to have more sense.

[Getlord]

"A stand is also defended if it is positioned
on the crest or upper slope of a hill or rise so that it
occupies higher ground than its attackers."

So you mean that this rule reflects the lack of impetus of the charge. No matter where actually the charge move finishes. Very interesting "house rule". I was against when I read for the first time, but after deep analysis looks very reasonable and fair.

[Edmund2011]

The flying just gives them more speed otherwise they have to obey the regular rules. At least thats how I would play it.

Ok. 

To be sure we are using it right I have another question:

What happens if as result of a combat the flying unit must retreat through impassable terrain according to the regular rules: a cliff, a wall, a house, etc ?

The flying unit is destroyed or it can "fly" over that terrain in the retreat move?

[Lex]

Check the section on confusion.

IIRC it states that a unit pushed back into impassable terrain by shooting rolls for Confusion, but a unit pushed back in H2H looses those stands that have now way out.

[Edmund2011]

Oki 

[Getlord]

The flying just gives them more speed otherwise they have to obey the regular rules. At least thats how I would play it.

Ok. 

To be sure we are using it right I have another question:

What happens if as result of a combat the flying unit must retreat through impassable terrain according to the regular rules: a cliff, a wall, a house, etc ?

The flying unit is destroyed or it can "fly" over that terrain in the retreat move?

Lex is right. In the Shooting phase stop and roll for confusion. In Combat phase every stand touching the impassable terrain is destroyed. No matter what type of unit it is.