About Challenges for Character in units

So, after my first game with my new ogres yesterday (which was a blast by the way, lots of gnashing of teeth feeding the Maw), my opponent and I came away with a question. It's more general rules than ogre specific, I hope that's okay.

My unit of slaughtermaster, bruiser BSB, and some ogres gets into a unit of Tomb King chariots with a Tomb King riding high and generally looking like he could use some meat on his bones. The TK and my SM get into a challenge which, if I must be honest, was just silly. Neither of us could take the other down. It was like watching two kittens standing on their back legs swatting at each other over and over. Now, that's not the part I've got a question about, it was was it was.

All the while the lords were (not) beating each other senseless, the rest of my unit was having a wonderful time smashing the heck out of the rest of those chariots. To the point of, umm.. hey, there's no more chariots left except the Tomb King. Now this lead to us talking about a whole lot of 'what ifs' and 'how does that works'.

Is the unit of chariots considered destroyed once all the standard chariots were destroyed, would I be able to claim points for them? Even if the lord on chariot that had joined the unit was still there?

The tomb king magicy guy (sorry, names aren't my strong suit) had been casting spells and returning wounds to the chariots, but, once I smashed the last one (except of course the lord), if he had gotten a heal on the lord, with healing to spare, would the regular chariots have sprung up again?

Does the whole rest of my unit really just stand around watching this nerf-sword fight happen without joining in?

Can they break away and 'leave the character', as a sort of reverse Character-leaves-the-unit maneuver?

Why do sabretusks look like they were swimming in the shallow end of the genetic pool? (Nothing to do with the fight, but it was asked at one point).

Oh and uh.. thanks for the great site, going through all the great strategy here lead me to my first OK fight being solid win!

I play TK's as well as Ogres so perhaps I can offer some insight for you.

"Is the unit of chariots considered destroyed once all the standard chariots were destroyed, would I be able to claim points for them? Even if the lord on chariot that had joined the unit was still there?"

I'd say yes, the chariots are considered a unit all by themselves and the TK would only be considered a part of the unit as he joined them. When the unit of Chariots is gone the Lord is still a unit himself however the Chariot unit was destroyed so VP's should be awarded as far as I'm aware.

"The tomb king magicy guy (sorry, names aren't my strong suit) had been casting spells and returning wounds to the chariots, but, once I smashed the last one (except of course the lord), if he had gotten a heal on the lord, with healing to spare, would the regular chariots have sprung up again?"

The Heirophant (Highest Level Wizard using Lore of Nehekhara) can't heal characters with his magic. The Lore Attribute from TK magic unforuntately can't heal characters. It's under the army rules section for reviving models if memory serves.

"Does the whole rest of my unit really just stand around watching this nerf-sword fight happen without joining in?"

Yes, if your SM and the TK were flailing at each other helplessly without dealing any wounds in the challenge the rest of the unit can't join in. It's a matter of honor for both characters that they duke it out to the bitter end. The good thing however is that the way TK's lose combats mean they crumble and lose wounds = to the no. they lost the combat. With a rank or two and a banner (assuming nobody dealt any wounds in the challenge) you should have a static combat res and the TK would crumble after each round of combat until he finally dies.

"Can they break away and 'leave the character', as a sort of reverse Character-leaves-the-unit maneuver?"

No, whilst joining a unit a character is considered to be a part of that unit. If one model of the unit is engaged in combat the entire unit is engaged and tehrefore can't do anything until the combat has ended one way or another.

"Why do sabretusks look like they were swimming in the shallow end of the genetic pool?"

Ughghh... Pass!! I use Fenrisian Wolves instead on the Finecast models, cheaper and much better looking!

Hope this helps! 

MoD's responses are accurate.  I have a bit of additional advice to offer:

vs Chariot Tomb King:  If you find yourself in a challenge with a Tomb King / Prince on a chariot, then attack the chariot.  The "My Will Be Done" rule does not pass on to steeds and the character replaces the crew, meaning that the chariot's weapon skill is a measly 2!  The chariot is also only T4, compared to the character's T5.  And the chariot has a 5+ armor and no ward, compared to whatever the character could be kitted with.  Finally, if you do 3 wounds to the chariot, it dies, putting the character on foot just in time for Stomps... and those 3 wounds will count for combat rez and crumble.  Your SM should have been hitting the chariot on 3's (or better), wounding on 4's (or better) with the chariot possibly getting a 6+ armor save, then stomping the king after the chariot died.

-Snark

Thanks for the solid replies. I didn't even realize you could target the chariot instead of only the Tomb King. One of those 'blinders have been lifted' moments. So much to learn still.

I'll have to take a closer look at the TK rulebook to make sure I understand his spells and army tricks a bit more. That and some less than optimal positioning involving my sabretusks were my two biggest stumbling blocks. Either way, loving the ogres. On to painting them!

I had a similar issue with Sabres when I started, when you deploy them keep them a good 6" away from other units. If they die they will cause panic and for Ogre's this is a potential disaster waiting to happen given our fairly low Ld.