The engagement of Helaman’s troops has the desired effect of changing the objectives of the Lamanite troops. They may no longer commit fully to fighting Antipus because they must also deal with Helaman. One of the ways in which a numerically superior force would fight a smaller one was to extend the line of battle so that greater numbers of fighters could engage at one time (Hassig, 1988, p. 101). When Helaman attacks, the Lamanites cannot use their greater numbers to widen the front against the army of Antipus because they must now dedicate fighters to the rear as well. The necessity of fighting on two fronts tended to compact the line of engagement, and even out the forces that would come face to face.