Unformed square
Hi all My question to the panel is: Do cavalry have to beat squares by eight to break them even if the square is unformed? I've looked in the rules and although the unformed unit will not gain any bonuses from being in square during morale or melee it is not clear if cavalry still need to beat them by eight or more to break them. Any views on this would be appreciated. cheers RT

I'm sure others may know better, but my take on this is that there is no such thing as an unformed square. So...if a unit is in square and becomes unformed, it is no longer a square...no + for being in square, and thus no need for the cavalry to beat it by 8, a simple beating will suffice, followed by a large amount of trampling under hoof. 8) (I think)..

See p41 Example B. Unformed infantry cannot claim for square (they are are mob, not a clear disciplined formation). A score of 8+ would be a straightforward rout.

thanks for your replies. SGH, i can see that a melee score difference of +8 would result in a rout but this is true in all cases whether the square is unformed or not. In the example on pg 41 regarding the Prussian square, what would the result have been if the melee difference was only 7?

Once a unit is unformed it cannot claim the formation modifier under any circumstances. Ceara

If the dice throws were such that the difference between the scores was only 7, then the infantry would retreat in the compulsory move phase of the next move. As their retreat is due to a melee, they do not need to check morale in the morale phase of the current move (a morale result is deemed to be part of the overall melee result), although they will need to do so in the next move. Exception: If their strength falls to 50% or less they will need to take a dispersal test in the morale phase of the current move. Use their melee result, and apply it to the morale test results table. Falter, retreat or rout means dispersal. If their strength falls to 25% or less, they will disperse automatically. The cavalry will take an immediate pursuit test. If they pursue, they will do so during the compulsory move phase of the next move.