Here I come back with a theme already discussed in other threads but never fixed. It's something crucial and capital because depending on the answer the efficiency of many units will be completely reversed and the game tactics changed. The basic question is: am I allowed to engage two models with a single one? Here in Italy we have two different ways of playing it.
Version 1) (played by Kvaerne and his friends)
No. You are compelled to charge one and only one enemy, no matter what's your size or whatever special ability you've got.
You have to charge your closest enemy (apart from leaping and heroes trying LD tests) with the shortest movement of your model.
Version 2) (played by Buzzu and FCM and their friends)
Yes, admitted that you have to make a direct movement (rules say DIRECT, not shorter, which IMHO means you simply can't turn around your foe) and you'll apply your charging bonus on one of your enemies only.
I use to play version two. Here's why:
Consider those three cases:
- Sweep
- Secondary attack
- Monsters with a large size (and base).
If you have to engage just always one figure at time, the above cases are really lowered in efficiency. A Sweep attack will never be done. According to the sustainers of version 1), indeed, you can perform a sweep attack only when enemy models surround you in engaging you, you survive, and you can than try your sweep. So the idea is that your fearsome warrior with a two handed axe is a sort of Bud Spencer, slapping back a bunch of fool idiots who attacked you in mass waiting for your push. Ridiculous.
Same thing for a model with secondary attack. Is this ability really a second chance to kill the same foe I charged? Do I really suck my second attack if I'm lucky enough to kill with my first? Very sad and very poor. I imagine a whirling fighter who throws himself in the middle of enemy ranks dealing fast blows swinging his blades... otherwise I can't figure out why some champions (i.e. S.o.K. Warriors or Elven Axemen) have two small weapons with secondary attack while the rest of the warband hits stronger. If he's a champion, he should be more dangerous, not weaker than his comrades.
Same thing for large monsters: is it so strange to think that a two tons creature could slam two or three people by impacting against them? To me, it's perfectly legit, and I found a little absurd that he has to choose his victim in the middle. C'mon...
Fixing this point is really, really important. Units like cursed or berserkers or sister of Tiamat or many others could be re- or de- evaluated depending on this.
Rember that, even sustaining version 2), we always apply the charging bonus to ONE of the foes you get in contact with, making a normal attack on the other(s).
If you think it's too powerful playing this way, just try it. If you miss your target you'll be in SERIOUS troubles... It simply is more amazing, and gives more value to your units.
As always, I wrote too much. Now it's up to you.
Thanks for your answers about it.