Hello,

Sorry if it's too obvious but...do you make engagements at the beginning of EVERY combat round, just after all members of the company select their stances? Will then the order be for every combat round, select stances, check engagement, proceed to combat?

After a quick reading I'd come to the idea that you only made engagements at the beginning of the combat but after a more deep read it doesn't make much sense...

I just really skip engagements. I assume all the players can reach all the enemies, who can reach all the players except those in the rearward stance. Works fine for me.

Here's how I do it...

1. I follow the engagement rules at the beginning of close combat (after opening volleys): If there are more or an equal number of heroes compared to adversaries, then the player-heroes choose the engagements; if there are more adversaries than heroes, the Loremaster chooses engagements.

2. All engagement circles remain the same until someone is defeated or escapes the engagement in some manner. As the number of adversaries and heroes changes, new engagements will need to be assigned (sometimes in the same combat round; other times at the top of the next round).

For example, 2 player-heroes are facing 6 goblin soldiers and 1 Orc-chieftain. After an opening volley, close combat is reached, and since there are more adversaries than heroes, the Loremaster chooses the engagements. He chooses to attack each player-hero with 3 goblins apiece (the maximum) while the chieftain remains unengaged. He will be able to make ranged attacks each round, choosing either player-hero as a target.

That´s how I tend to do it as well.

However:

Do the company always select their stance?
Regardless if they are defending, attacking or are ambushed...

I have interpreted it as such, but I´m thinking there must be some situations when the evil enemy can dictate the flow of battle, at least stance-wise

I can think of one special ability that prevents heroes from changing their stance, but in general I believe the heroes can choose their stance.

Yes, at the top of every combat round the Companions choose their stances (unless something is preventing them from changing stance). Choosing stances begins at the start of close combat. During opening volleys stances are not necessary and all the action takes place simultaneously between heroes and adversaries. So...

• Ambushes: the surprised side will not make opening volleys nor hold initiative once close combat is reached; if an ambush fails, defenders can make opening volleys (if they have ranged weapons) and will hold initiative as usual
• Opening Volleys: no stances; simultaneous action between Companions and adversaries (everyone is free to choose whatever targets are available and all ranged attacks are resolved at the same time)
• Close Combat: Companions choose stances first, then engagements are established (at the beginning of close combat and then when necessary: when someone in close combat is suddenly without an opponent)

Of course characters always select stances, because stances are only a 'representation' of how aggressive or cautious a PC wants to be, and are meaningless for adversaries with RAW.
I suppose you could as LM introduce optional rules for how to assign adversaries in combat, but IMHO not necessary. I find this flexibility of combat and 'leaving it up to the LM' one of the great things about the combat system of TOR!

Robin S