Hi Ken

Your fix would bring MA into line with DBA/HoTT/SoBH and though the system works I cannot say it models my fantasy of ancient combat. As my fantasy is informed by Medieval Total War and Prince Valiant you can see where I'm coming from! I like the way it harmonises with the rest of the rules, but I like a roll to hit that is unopposed I guess. Anyway a possible way forward for my gaming follows.

As MA will be distgustingly spliced to SoBH for the BIG PROJECT (large scale MA-DBA battles with SoBH skirmish) monstrosity, I may be using the following for both. My eventual combat system for MA will include a "DISORDER" result which is a temporary -1 FS, and either HITS, permanent and cumulative with -1 FS per HIT, or a SHAKEN result which is a permanent -2 FS malus that can only be taken once.

Unit DISORDER will be shrugged off by successful roll vs Quality: Vet 3+, Ave 4+ and Levy 5+, for instance, with mods for proximity of Leaders, Standards etc. There might be more penalties for DISORDER - inability to charge, Quality malus etc etc - who knows with a pile of Picts still to paint!

Shooting 1 gets a VICTORY on 5+ on 1D6 and DISORDERS Heavy troops and DISORDERS and PUSHES BACK Light troops.

MASSACRE is on 7+ and causes DISORDER and ether a HIT or the SHAKEN result, and a PUSH BACK for foot and a RETREAT for mounted.

Mods:

Target Heavy (armoured) -1

Target Cavalry +1

Target in Cover -1

Target in Fortifications -2

Shooter has Shooting 2 +1

Shooter Skirmishers/Poor -1

Shooter has Armour Penetrating Wpn (Xbow) ~ ignore Heavy -1 malus

I have playtested this with DBA and am pleased with the results. Its not my idea, but is extracted from JUSTIFIED ANCIENTS. Plagiarist, moi? All's fair in the pursuit of the perfect ruleset!