For archers (and others) in Rearward Stance, is it "at least two other Fellowship Members PERIOD" or "at least two other Fellowship Members PER ARCHER"? I think it's the second, and that's how my group has been running things, but I want to verify.

I interpret it the same as you: two forward stanced characters PER each rearward stanced character.

I interpret it the other way: we have two archers in our fellowship of four characters, and I let both archers use their bows when the two "melee" companions are engaging in close combat.

I think that the rule regarding characters/enemies ratio covers the issue.

I'd agree with Sir Gawain, with the caveat that the ratio is only those characters in close combat. In other words, two characters could keep up to four opponents busy for those in the rear. Beyond that and there'd have to be another character in close combat to cover. I'd perhaps also take the stance in the account, defenders of those in the rear could protect and free up an archer, as long as the defender wasn't engaged against more than two opponents.

What works for a group I guess.

The full text entry says of the character in Rearward "two others protect him" which sounds to me like 2 per rearward.

Thinking about it with # caps overall (not more than double number of foes)

X is a foe and F is forward, R rearward.


Three PC's can maintain this array.

xxx xxx

F F

R

Four PC's can maintain this array assuming it's "per rearward"

xxx xx xx

F F F

R

It would be this if "in total 2 forward"

xxxx xxxx
F F

R R

That seems like quite a bit of "keeping foes busy" for those two forward heroes.

They're doing impressively in the first case keeping 3 each busy, handling 4 each seems to be really tall order?

I'd argue that it's situational. On an open battlefield, 2 per archer. In a narrow corridor, 2 total.

my idea of the concept was that one Close Combat stance character can occupy to up to two opponents. A third opponent would be able to attack the rearward character. Its easier to visualize with the battle board. Pair off the characters with opponents two to one. If the archer has his own enemy who wants to be in close combat he can’t use the bow. Each archer would require two more forward allies.
P158 ADVB “A character is allowed to assume this stance only if at least two other characters protect him by fighting in a close combat stance, AND if the total number of enemies facing the company isn’t more than twice the number of characters in the Company.”
Since the rule says “him” I infer that to mean a solitary archer. So each “him” would need two allies to protect him.

I'd argue that even your first case is too much for the characters taking a close combat stance. I think anything over two opponents per character in close combat and it's debatable whether a further character can take up a rearward stance.

I think Mytholder is right, it's going to be situational.

Its obviously up to the individual how they want to handle rearward stance in their own game, but in terms of the rules as written, I think it is the 2 characters in close combat per each individual character in rearward interpretation. So having 2 archers would require 4 other characters in close combat.

John

Page 44 of the Loremaster book makes it pretty clear...

and...

So two defenders per individual archer. But specific circumstances can change that.

I don't have my book handy so it may be addressed there.

Does range come into play? Say I had 3 archers and two enemies who were in bow range but not melee range. Couldn't they fire away until the enemies got close enough for melee?

HN

That's pretty much what "Opening Volleys" covers.

Thanks!

The Adventurer's Book is admitedly a little vague on the subject but the Loremaster Book is better:

LMB p44

That is pretty clear to me. 2 CC PCs for every Rearward Stance PC, is the rule. The LM can then make exceptions as he/she see fit.

/wolf

Ooops!
I totally overlooked that...
Sorry, guys!