Think of the ambush as a chess endgame—set the board first, then let the opponent move into the trap. Start by mapping the terrain, placing your units where they can observe without being seen, and cut off the enemy’s escape routes. Keep the “honor line” by ensuring your troops are ready to engage only when the odds are stacked for you, not when the enemy is unarmed or vulnerable. Use a bait that looks like a retreat but is actually a funnel—this preserves the moral high ground while still catching them off‑guard. And remember, the best ambush is the one that your opponent thinks they won the war before you even start the fight.

You’re right, the flank is the Achilles’ heel of any setup. Treat it like a weak pawn in a chess game—protect it with a shadow of a guard or a misdirection so the enemy thinks it’s a bait, not a target. That way you keep the honor line while the real trap is still in play.

Got it, keep the flank hidden, misdirect the enemy into thinking it’s bait, then strike while they’re focused elsewhere. That preserves the honor line while still pulling off the trap.