How do trample mechanics work?

[Psycho]

According to the manual it's a defense check against 10 (disregarding the fatigue). But how then is it possible that my eponi knights with 19 defense (2 exp.) and body ethereal on some of them got utterly squished by acro chariots, when their chance of successful trample would've been 5% without even taking etherealness into account?

Also it seems to me that the chariots got more than one trample attempt per turn. Is it that the trample doesn't count as an attack and doesn't use up all the action points?

[thejeff]

Trample definitely doesn't use up all the action points. I'm not sure of the actual mechanics, but it looks like a trample only counts as a normal move. The move happens, and displaces the targets whether or not the actual attack succeeds. Then they can try to trample again.

I've often seen high def units get moved all around the field before finally being squished, so I'd assume they just get enough chances to get the 5% hit.

[johan osterman]

IIRC they take 1 damage when they get moved, even if they avoid the primary damage. If enough elephants trample repeatedly the damage stack up. Not sure if the ethreal helps or not

[Dedas]

Trample is crazy. Do something about it Johan!

[Kamamura]

It is best used for sieges, when heavy troops tend to block the gateway. I had a group of troglodytes, and they run through the defenders like knife throug butter.

[Omnirizon]

trample is a bit crazy. It would be nice even if the damage was dependent on the size difference between the trampler and the tramplee (yes, I made up a new word). I was thinking there was in fact this mechanic, but I can't seem to find it in the manual.

An elephant shouldn't be able to trample a size 5 drake. I mean it can't really lift its legs that high!