Removing models and attackiing back

[spaghettyhoop]

Im still new to fantasy after years of 40k, and in a game today we got confused. I may be been thick after reading the rule book a few times, but want to check im doing this right (as it seems wrong)

I charged a unit of high elves. I charged a unit of goblins into the front, and a unit of trolls into the rear as I had them surrounded. Elves fought first, picked 2 wounds of trolls and a few gobbos. So im left with 3 trolls in base contact at the rear, then gobbos in contact with the front

The gobbos had higher initiative, so went first, surprisingly killed 5 elves. They were removed from the rear rank as normal. Then it was the trolls turn, and they were no longer in base contact as the previous initiative step removed the rear rank. So they didnt attack.

Is this correct, or am I making some daft mistake?

[tiger g]

The trolls would have stepped up and attacking the new back row. This will happen again with the trolls killing and the defenders unit will shrink with both units still engaged.

[T10]

See p. 61. If a unit drops out of contact it should be nudged back into contact. This frequently happens whe you've engaged a unit in the rear and casualties are removed.

[spaghettyhoop]

Ahhh, that makes a lot more sense! So with that in mind, really it would benefit the defender for 1 model to be left in the rank before the trolls attack causing minimal base contact? Or do you assume all trolls are in btb contact?

Cheers for the help, ive found the sneaky little rule in the book now

[Iraf]

They would all be in contact in the rear. The gap between models is assumed to be filled, as the attackers/defenders surge forward.

[spaghettyhoop]

really? But that makes so much...sense! Im still amazed by how solid fantasy rules feel compared to 40k, but im sure its just because im new haha.

Thats all my questions cleared up, cheers dudes!