I have trouble understanding some of the rules in the BoB and I'd really appreciate some clarification on these.

1. Partial success with the unit intensity critting

Does this mean that only the maneuver stand fast is available or do the players have a choice here?.

So far I let them choose other maneuvers from the list like attack vs two and told them that with any other maneuver they would have to fight against two units as well.


2. Bodyguard bonus

Does only the unit commander get the opportunity to use this or can every knight in the unit have a bodyguard?

Is it allowed to use hired mercenaries (i.e. mounted sergeants) for this?

After using the bodyguard bonus, does the player HAVE to fight the unit again or can he choose to not fight this round?
If he chooses not to fight (assuming he can), does this mean his result is simply not counted for this round (i.e. a lost round can be turned into a won round by using the bodyguard bonus and then refuse to fight)?


3. Follower's fight phase

The book says that the followers fight as one unit. Does this mean they fight like the player unit (rolling for every single one and then adding up the battle results) or is it actually meant they fight as one ENTITY (i.e. only one roll against the enemy unit)?
The table for the results seems to be built for the latter but that does not make sense to me with different combat skills for the NPC followers.


Thanks in advance!

I have trouble understanding some of the rules in the BoB and I'd really appreciate some clarification on these.
1. Partial success with the unit intensity critting
Does this mean that only the maneuver stand fast is available or do the players have a choice here?.
So far I let them choose other maneuvers from the list like attack vs two and told them that with any other maneuver they would have to fight against two units as well.

As long as all the prerequisites are met, other maneuvers may be done
Under normal circumstance these narrow down to: Stand versus Two or Run Away or Pull Back
HOWEVER, in all cases two enemy units will attack


2. Bodyguard bonus
Does only the unit commander get the opportunity to use this or can every knight in the unit have a bodyguard?

Normally only the Unit Commander. Note that his "bodyguards" are his followers, not special guys
However, see Subcommander rule on 13, which explains how Player Knights can use this option


Is it allowed to use hired mercenaries (i.e. mounted sergeants) for this?

Only if hired mercenaries make up the Unit Commander's eschille. See above


After using the bodyguard bonus, does the player HAVE to fight the unit again or can he choose to not fight this round?

He HAS TO


If he chooses not to fight (assuming he can), does this mean his result is simply not counted for this round (i.e. a lost round can be turned into a won round by using the bodyguard bonus and then refuse to fight)?

Null question, since he must fight


3. Follower's fight phase
The book says that the followers fight as one unit. Does this mean they fight like the player unit (rolling for every single one and then adding up the battle results) or is it actually meant they fight as one ENTITY (i.e. only one roll against the enemy unit)?

They fight as one entity


The table for the results seems to be built for the latter but that does not make sense to me with different combat skills for the NPC followers.

It is for simplicity
Nothing will make your players hate Battle more than the GM rolling every Follower against an opponent
I know
I tried that out

Thank you so much for clearing that up!

It appears that the rulings I made so far very much went in the PK's favor.

They managed to win the battle of St. Alban's almost entirely on their own. They will for sure be celebrated for this and join the King in the Great Hall!

I am sure some of you have noticed that, at times, you cannot post new material here.
That is because the site in being overhauled, but ought to be up and running soon, even better than before
Anyway, that is my excuse for not starting a new thread when changing subjects, even though that is one of my favorite pet peeves


It appears that the rulings I made so far very much went in the PK's favor.

When faced with indecision that is often the route we take
After all, who wants to kill PKs based on a misunderstood rule?
BUT, I hope you will get over that soon (Hey, how comes there is not funnyface for Cruel?)


They managed to win the battle of St. Alban's almost entirely on their own. They will for sure be celebrated for this and join the King in the Great Hall!

Look here's your opportunity to use one of the key features of KAP!
That is, killing PKs!
Remember that the campaign is long, and before it's over everyone will die
I am urging all GMs to NOT spare all the PKs in the big events of the game, but to go ahead and kill 'em off, or at least some of them
Remember that in KAP that the death of well-known and well-loved PKs provides part of the plot, part of the action, and part of the long-term campaign
Death is an important part of the game
This becomes apparent towards the middle of the campaign, where a character who can say, "I survived Badon" causes a real reaction, both among the game characters and players. But to do this requires that some of the characters should NOT survive.
Or where someone goes and kills a string of helpless Saxon prisoners, and when reprimanded says, "My father was poisoned at St Albans." But of course this requires a PK to be poisoned.
Trust me--the effect is worth it, and it really illustrates the passions and motivations of Arthurian characters in the literature
And remember--that is what a son is for! (Or a nephew, or brother, or cousin of the PK)
NOTE WELL:
This is NOT an invitation to be a rotten GM and kill everyone all the time, nor is it an invitation to be a hostile GM and try to kill the PKs every session. It is the reason that all die rolls ought to be out in the open--i.e. to illustrate the arbitrary nature of Death