Reforming Units
Hi guys quick question for you all Can a unit reforming after a successful melee reform in a different formation? We had a situation in our last game where two units in column had just beaten an enemy unit that retreated out of the way. These two unfortunate unformed French battalions now found themselves facing the Scots Greys. Fortunately the cavalry were not in a position to charge straight away so the French had a turn in which to reform. Obviuosly they would have liked to form square but I couldn't find anything definitive in the rules to say they could. So consequently they reformed in column and then never had enough time to form square before being charged and got rather roughly treated by the British cavalry. :( Did we play this right or could the French have gone into square? Any thoughts on this appreciated. cheers RT

The consistent response of Dr. Brown over several years has been that units may not reform and change formation in the same game turn. So, you played it correctly: reform to the original formation (pre-Melee) first, then attempt to change formation to square, etc.

Thanks for your response. I've found the section in the rules you refer to and it does look like my unlucky boys were quite rightly put to the sword. I did find another rule that says that units reforming after rout retreat or retiring can reform in any formation and direction. So it's just after melee that you can't. Thanks again RT.

Certainly a unit becomes unformed in this move, spends next move reforming and is then formed in the move after that. Similarly, a unit cannot reform and change formation in the same move. But then, if they are unformed, there is by definition no formation to change. I do not see why they cannot reform into any formation they choose. It's only a matter of a drum beat or bugle call.

Unformed is not a uniform state. If unformed due to retreat or rout the troops are in a blob. If unformed due to melee, they are still in some sort of formation, just disordered. It is similar to being faltered where the unit is still kept in its current formation, but is "disordered". One may argue that a line vs column will contract so that the wings of the line can partake in the combat, but this may overcomplicate what is a relatively simple process at present.