Morale

[Davesaint]

While reading through the morale section of the UWZ book, it appears that the only thing that can trigger a moral test is the loss of 50% of a given units strength.  Is this correct?

Dave

[PFC joe]

Certain spells and or special weapons cause morale checks.  Every loss to a squad beyond the initial 50% (or wounds if it's an individual) also cause morale checks.

what is your real question?

-PFC joe

[dmcgee1]

Nope.  There are several things that can trigger a morale check.

• If a squad that is at 50% or less of its orginal size loses another model(s), it is subject to test morale, again, after the unit that caused the test is activated.
• If an Individual is reduced to 50% or less wounds, it must test, and test again for each subsequent wound, again, after the unit that caused the test has activated.
• Some SA's cause tests.
• Dire effects can cause tests.
• Shooting into Close Combat is a morale test for those models which are not Elite or which do not have the Unscrupulous or Deadshot SA's - at -4 to the shooting model's LD!.

I may not have listed them all.  Little help, folks.

[Davesaint]

I was suprised that there is no adverse effect for losing close combat if you don't kill out 50% of the unit.

[dmcgee1]

In battle, few expect that there would be no casualties.  Losing a squaddie or three is an accepted way of life.  Losing half the squad starts to unnerve guys, as now they start to think that their leadership isn't as good as it should be.  Any more losses make the other guys feel like their number is up next.  Cascading further, if the sergeant (or the guy who recieved the field promotion to that rank) can't get the squad back together, the squad really starts to lose it, and runs the risk of breaking or, at worst, becoming unhinged.

[dmcgee1]

I was suprised that there is no adverse effect for losing close combat if you don't kill out 50% of the unit.

That's 50% or the original number; i.e.: a 12 model squad loses 5 models, and is fine.  Losing a sixth model causes a check.  A 13 model squad losing six models is fine, while the seventh causes the check.  A squad containing 13, originally, is down to 7, and loses 1 more during the next activation has to test, as the number of models has been reduced to half or below the original number.

A squad containing a sniper (or other model with the Form Fireteam SA) counts it's number as however many models are in the squad when losses are taken, i.e.:  A full squad of Trenchers has 12 Troopers, 2 HMG's, 1 Sniper and a Sergeant, for a total of 16 models.  Both HMG's and the Sniper Form Fireteam, early, so the squad's "original" number of models is, now, 13 (12 Troopers and the Sarge).

[PhillySniper]

What happens whit said Trencher squad when

They run into a infil squad or other early loss scenario before the HMGs and sniper can form fireteam? Do they count as losses as far as panic goes, when they do form fireteam?

Example 1

Jaegers infiltrate with a Jaeger Kaptain. The Kaptain reveals Trenchers and the jaegers kill 7.  Leaving 9. Then on activation the Trenchers form fireteam with the HMGS and the Sniper leaving 6. Do they them have to roll for panic?

[Davesaint]

I was suprised that there is no adverse effect for losing close combat if you don't kill out 50% of the unit.

That's 50% or the original number; i.e.: a 12 model squad loses 5 models, and is fine.  Losing a sixth model causes a check.  A 13 model squad losing six models is fine, while the seventh causes the check.  A squad containing 13, originally, is down to 7, and loses 1 more during the next activation has to test, as the number of models has been reduced to half or below the original number.

A squad containing a sniper (or other model with the Form Fireteam SA) counts it's number as however many models are in the squad when losses are taken, i.e.:  A full squad of Trenchers has 12 Troopers, 2 HMG's, 1 Sniper and a Sergeant, for a total of 16 models.  Both HMG's and the Sniper Form Fireteam, early, so the squad's "original" number of models is, now, 13 (12 Troopers and the Sarge).

I understand that it is 50% of the original squad strength.   This gives advantages to units with a larger structure, and makes it more beneficial to have full strength units rather than partial strength units to increase your number of activations.  For morale purposes, it is better to have a 12 man squad of samuai with a sargeant and it's specials and give them laser sights than a full squad of hatamotos with their leader and specials since on average, the samuai will have to make less morale checks, making their lower leadership less of an issue.


Dave

[Jibbajabbawocky]

What happens whit said Trencher squad when

They run into a infil squad or other early loss scenario before the HMGs and sniper can form fireteam? Do they count as losses as far as panic goes, when they do form fireteam?

Example 1

Jaegers infiltrate with a Jaeger Kaptain. The Kaptain reveals Trenchers and the jaegers kill 7.  Leaving 9. Then on activation the Trenchers form fireteam with the HMGS and the Sniper leaving 6. Do they them have to roll for panic?

I don't think so, since that reduction in squad size didn't come from casualties.  It might be in the FAQ, my memory is a bit fuzzy on the matter.  I do remember however that splitting your unit doesn't cause a morale test.

[dmcgee1]

Jibba is correct.  Recalculate the new "original" squad size.  Forming Fireteam is a Special Ability and does not affect Morale.  However, if they (the models with Form Fireteam) remain part of the squad, include them in the "original" squad size.

[PFC joe]

Whoa!  I missed this one somewhere.  They're spot on with the Form Fire Team SA.  Only loses due to models being removed from being killed force panic checks.

-PFC joe

[Stalker]

Whoa!  I missed this one somewhere.  -PFC joe

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Could the omniscient (sp?) Joe be slipping?   

[PFC joe]

I never slip! though I do occasionaly miss a topic reply or two when i'm recovering from all too exciting weekends.

-PFC joe