If they do not choose to make a sweeping advance, or the sweeping advance attempt fails, the victors of a close combat may move up to 3" in any direction to consolidate their position and recover an effective formation. Units consolidating their position ignore difficult terrain. This move may be used to engage enemy units and lock them in combat, but the consolidating unit must maintain unit coherency and does not count as charging when the combat is worked out next turn.
Note: Sometimes a losing unit will only fall back 2" or 3" from a combat and it is perfectly possible for a consolidating unit to move back into contact with such slow-footed foes.
Note that if several close combats are being fought in close proximity, a unit which consolidates into a new close combat cannot take casualties or make attacks until the next Assault phase - all the combats are assumed to be simultaneous.
Consolidation may not be used to embark on a transport vehicle unless it is open topped.
Diagram 10. Consolidate: The victorious unit can make a consolidate move of up to 3" at the conclusion of the combat. This move could be used to enter difficult terrain with no penalty, or to engage enemy models in a new close combat.