How does "hindering" affect determining the path of Overlord units in COOP Mode?

[Don Frew]

This  is a complicated question...

 

Several COOP scenarios include this condition about Overlord units:

 

"When moving, they will avoid hindering if possible while still following the shortest path. They will only attack a Hero if they end their movement in the area with a Hero."

 

I've tried to figure out exactly what this means.  The closest I've been able to get is this:

 

1. Calculate the Target and "Shortest Path"
Before the miniature takes its first step, look at its specified target.

    Count the total number of zone borders it takes to reach that target using the absolute most direct route.
    This total number of zones establishes the [u]maximum budget[/u] for the "shortest path."

 

2. Check for "Hindering"
Hindering occurs when a unit tries to move out of a zone that contains enemy models (Heroes).

    If the absolute shortest path forces the automated unit to enter and then immediately leave a zone with a Hero, it would normally be hindered, costing extra movement points or trapping them.
    To "avoid hindering if possible," look for an alternative route to the target that completely bypasses zones containing Heroes.

 

3. The "While Still" Restriction
The rule states they avoid hindering "while still following the shortest path." This means they are not allowed to take a longer detour.

    Scenario A (Bypass Allowed): If there are two different routes to the target that are both exactly 3 zones long—one goes through a Hero's zone, and one goes through an empty zone—the unit must choose the empty path to avoid hindering.
    Scenario B (Detour Denied): If the only way to avoid a Hero's zone requires a path that is 4 zones long instead of 3, the unit cannot take it. It must stick to the 3-zone path and accept being hindered.

 

4. Resolving the End-of-Movement Attack
The unit ignores the Heroes as it travels through zones along the path.

    It does not stop to fight mid-movement just because it passes a Hero.
    It will only roll attack dice if its movement points completely run out while it is standing in the exact same zone as a Hero. If it stops in an empty zone adjacent to a Hero, no attack is performed.

 

I'm unclear about two things here:
1) What happens when the unit could go after more than one target?  How does "hindering" factor into deciding which one the unit will go after?
2) This explanation deals with "hindering" as it affects the unit's movement, but hindering can affect other things.  If the unit has a Ranged Attack, that can be hindered, too.  How will that affect figuring out which target the unit will go after and which path it will choose, if it's avoiding hindering?

 

Confusing.

 

Thanks,
Don

[Roolz]

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When moving, they will avoid hindering if possible while still following the shortest path. They will only attack a Hero if they end their movement in the area with a Hero.

 

Typically this special sentence/rule is used in scenarios where OL units have a specific area/item to reach.

I.e. it's their primary objective and they only attack a Hero if they have the opportunity to do so.

 

Quote

What happens when the unit could go after more than one target?  How does "hindering" factor into deciding which one the unit will go after?

 

The unit takes the path that allows it to reach its objective (or come closer to). Hindering comes after ("if possible").

Let's say a OL unit with 3 base mvt points has to reach the "closest chest".

- One chest is 3 areas away, the other 2 areas away with a hero in-between. The unit can reach both with its 3 movement points, but it will choose the second because it's the "closest".

- One chest is 3 areas away, the other 2 areas away with two heroes in-between. The unit can only reach the first, so it will choose it even though it's not the "closest".

- One chest is 4 areas away, the other 2 areas away with two heroes in-between. The unit can reach neither, so it will choose the second because it's the "closest".

 

Quote

2) This explanation deals with "hindering" as it affects the unit's movement, but hindering can affect other things.  If the unit has a Ranged Attack, that can be hindered, too.  How will that affect figuring out which target the unit will go after and which path it will choose, if it's avoiding hindering?

 

The unit's primary objective depends on movement. So you consider hindering only for this. Not for a potential opportunity attack that may happen after the movement.

THEN, when the unit has moved (and possibly completed its objective), IF there's a Hero in the same area, it makes an opportunity attack (affected by hindering if it only has a ranged attack).

Note: it can reasonably be house-ruled that IF the OL unit ends its movement in an area without Heroes:

- If it has only a melee attack AND there's a Hero in an occupied adjacent area, it attacks that Hero.

- If it has only a ranged attack, it makes a ranged attack against the strongest Hero in LoS.

 

[Don Frew]

Thank you very much for this!  It clarifies a LOT.

 

One picky question... "They will only attack a Hero if they end their movement in the area with a Hero."

 

If the OL unit ends its movement in a an area without a Hero, but it can make a Ranged attack against a Hero in another area, will it do so?

 

In other words, are the "a Hero" in both phrases the SAME Hero?

 

Thanks!

Don

[Roolz]

8 hours ago, Don Frew said:

If the OL unit ends its movement in a an area without a Hero, but it can make a Ranged attack against a Hero in another area, will it do so?

It's not always explicitl in the special rules.

If not, you can play "rules as written" so the unit only attacks if there's a hero in its final area.

However, as I wrote above, it makes sense that the unit will make an opportunity attack if it can do so, after its movement.

"It can reasonably be house-ruled that IF the OL unit ends its movement in an area without Heroes:

- If it has only a melee attack AND there's a Hero in an occupied adjacent area, it attacks that Hero.

- If it has only a ranged attack, it makes a ranged attack against the strongest Hero in LoS."

 

 

8 hours ago, Don Frew said:

 

In other words, are the "a Hero" in both phrases the SAME Hero?

 

Thanks!

Don

A Hero cannot be in 2 areas simultaneously so it can't be the same :).

Maybe you're wondering what happens if the unit ends its movement in an area with several Heroes. It's not explicit but I believe you just have to follow standard Target Hero rules to choose the one it attacks.

 

 

[Don Frew]

I get what you're saying.  Thank you.  What I was trying to get clarified was if the language should read "They will only attack a Hero if they end their movement in the area with that same Hero.", i.e. if the Hero that is in the same space and triggered the attack must also be the Hero that is attacked.  

 

Thanks again,

Don

[Roolz]

15 hours ago, Don Frew said:

I get what you're saying.  Thank you.  What I was trying to get clarified was if the language should read "They will only attack a Hero if they end their movement in the area with that same Hero.", i.e. if the Hero that is in the same space and triggered the attack must also be the Hero that is attacked. 

Yes, the dude attacks that same hero.