Attack rearmost - how does it really work?

[analytic_kernel]

Originally Posted by Illuminated One

Hmm, I've always had problems with my mages and guards in the rear being attacked by fliers. At some point I placed a decoy squad behind the mages which seemed to help.

I've now tested this with three squads of Caelum infantry, two set guard commander with a commander on (hold)(hold)(attack rear) and one set to (hold and attack rear). One archer squad was also there.
Defender were four squads of Marverni infantry and one druid with guards at the very rear.
Result:

The behindmost squad was those that was set to (hold and attack rear).

I did my testing with one squad of fliers set to immediate "Attack Rear" orders rather than "Hold and Attack Rear". Maybe there is some difference because of that, though it seems unlikely...?

Also, I haven't experimented with squads that are guarding a commander set to "Attack Rear". It is conceivable that commanders will seek out other commanders on the battlefield. Is this what you are implying?

Thanks for looking into this.

[analytic_kernel]

OK, Illuminated, I think I see what is happening in your test case. The number of attacking and defending squads seems to matter. In my earlier tests, I had 1 attacking squad with 2 defending squads to choose from. When I added a second attacking squad, then the defending bodyguards were targeted as well. So, I guess I would say target preference is given to non-bodyguards, but that bodyguards are not ignored.


Attacker Squads (nearest to farthest): Air Elementals (size 2), Silver Adept + Mechanical Men, Air Elementals (size 4)


Defender Squads: Mechanical Men, Silver Adept + Mechanical Men


Two Attacking Squads (Attack Rear) Targeting Two Defending Squads (Hold and Attack, Guard Commander)


One Attacking Squad (Attack Rear) Targeting Non-Bodyguard Squad (Hold and Attack)