The reasons for this amendment are two-fold. First of all, I've spent most of the summer tramping around various areas of the NE and Canada, many times being in orchards, light woods and on occasion, heavy woods. Each time I'm walking through such terrain, I'm struck by the sheer density and blocking that is a result of branches, low limbs, fallen trunks, etc. For the life of me, I cannot see how anyone wielding a 12 foot spear (or longer) could carry it around in such terrain, much less use it in combat with any effect, especially from a rank that is not in the front. I actually thought of making units carrying such weapons disordered in woods, but this would really mitigate against them, so the single rank is a compromise.

Secondly, I can find no conclusive proof of troops using longer spears actually charging through a woods with any real effectiveness. The Welsh battle 'reports' usually do not allude to weaponry, so I surmise that the units in woods were actually using javelins rather than the long spears, which I see relegated to the more open areas where cavalry are apt to be around...their main deterrent being to keep the horsemen away.

Byzantines (or Greeks/Romans in AW) in the same situation? No evidence again, at least that I have found. If anyone can enlighten me, please do, but the reality of seeing units charging out of woods with long spears and fighting as if on normal ground just does not make sense to me after my summer excursions.

So, here is the amendment. It should be placed after the Close Combat modifiers table in the rule books.

Weapons Use

Normally, all weapons may be used in any terrain. the exceptions are:

Long Spear, Lance, Pike and Halberds (in MW) may only be used by a front rank while moving in any type of woods.

If the unit is halted in the woods and not moving that turn, or if they move completely out of the woods during their charge/movement, they count normal ranks as fighting.

This allows some flexibility while still addressing my concerns re: moving in woods with pole weapons. If you elect to charge or advance out, you take your chances with trying to clear the terrain. If you make it, fine, if not, too bad! This also gives us a bit more edginess to ambushes. If they work, they can be devastating. If your unit fails to make it completely out of the woods, not so good.