How exactly do enemies move and whom exactly do they attack?

[jam]

Rules state that enemies attack the closest player characters first and that archers shoot for magic users first and then they shoot for archers unless an enemy can reach an archer on the ensuing turn.

I have a battle with 2 or 3 enemies and 4 of my characters:

1.  If the enemy is an archer, will they attack the closet character even if it's not a magic user or will they attack a magic user that is farther away?

2.  Will the enemy who is an archer move to get closer to the magic user and then attack the magic user?

3.  For non-archer enemies, do they have some movement protocol that is executed prior to their attack?

A flowchart would be great for this - happy to sketch one up based on the responses.

Thanks much.

[mister frau blucher]

Hey, jam,

Most of the combat "orders" we give the enemies are general guidelines. It is meant to give the enemies some semi-automated but reasonably intelligent method of fighting the characters. It is perfectly fine to deviate from these guidelines, if it looks like the enemies might favor another tactic in the particular combat situation.

That being said, I'd probably rule this way on your questions:

1. The archer will shoot for the wizard that is farther away; but if a character can reach the archer on the next turn, he'll shoot at that closer character instead.
2.No, there is no need for the archer to move closer, so he will fire at the mage instead of moving.
3. They will move closer to the closest character, and if adjacent they will attack.

You might be right, a flow chart might be interesting. A lot of us who have been playing solitaire for years kinda take enemy reactions for granted. Thinking about this some more, a flow chart with a die roll to determine what action the enemy takes might add a little more, as it would introduce an element of unpredictability. Combat happens fast, and not everyone thinks logically under adrenaline.

I'd be interested in seeing what you come up with!

[platimus]

I really like the flow-chart idea. Especially with some die-rolls in it!

Here's how I control archers if the specific encounter gives no specific instruction (or if the specific instruction is too mind-boggling):
1. Shoot the closest enemy that is not engaged with an ally.
2. After another archer or wizard attacks the archer from a distance, shoot at him/her instead.
3. Goto 1

My reasoning: Archer will shoot the clear and present danger.

EDIT: I pretty much control everyone that^ way.