Morale Question

[tugunmojo]

In the rules, if a morale check is failed by 2 or 3, the unit must move toward the nearest table edge while not moving any closer to any known enemy units. If it is impossible, they surrender.

In the below example, the left Therian unit causes the UNA Troop (middle miniature) to make a moral check and he fails on 2 dice. Does the UNA Troop have to surrender because the closest table edge (top of pic) would require him to get closer to the Therian Unit on the right (as he is trying not to get closer to the left unit)? OR Is he allowed to retreat to the bottom edge as it is the closest table edge that he can reteat to without getting closer to an enemy model (and would only have to surrender if he was surrounded by enemy units)?

If I read the rules as they are written, I believe that the UNA Troop must surrender, but I am unsure it that is the intend of the rule. Unless, that is a way to "reward" flanking manuevers in which the enemy gets in behind you and cuts off your means of retreat. If that is the case, then fast moving units have another advantage beside just simple speed.

Thanks ahead of time for the answer.

[richjones]

He only surrenders if he can't move without getting closer to an enemy figure. In this case they would high tail it off towards the other edge as he can do this without moving nearer to the enemy. Surrounding the enemy is really the only way to get them to surrender.

[tugunmojo]

Thanks for the quick answer!