Characters Q&A
by Andy Chambers

 

Q: Can characters joining a unit increase its size for morale checks (regrouping and casualty morale checks specifically)?

A: No.


Q: If a character is within 2" or less of two or more squads, must he designate which one he is in? If so, can he change the designation from turn to turn?

A: While he may choose to join a squad, he does not have to. He also cannot join two squads at once. Yes, he is free to switch affiliation at the start of each turn.


Q: You can't shoot at an Independent Character if he's within 6" of a unit, unless he's the closest model at short range. Does this hold true if the Independent Character is say a Hive Tyrant or Avatar near a unit of small critters (more than twice the height of the unit)?

A: By the rules this is the case, though as a house rule you might want to allow players to target them.


Q: An Independent Character is hanging out with a unit (within 2"), and the unit (10 men) gets hit & takes 6 casualties. Morale test is taken, using the Independent Character's Leadership, and they fail. They all fall back as normal. Next turn rolls around...

- Can the Independent Character declare he is no longer part of the unit, and make a separate test to Regroup, so that if it works he can Regroup on his own while the squad will continue to fall back, as they are below 50%?

- Or is he stuck with them, and can never Regroup as the squad is below 50% Strength?

A: An independent character can not leave a unit he joins until it regroups (see p76), and therefore if the group can't regroup the character can't leave it!


Q: Are VPs for non-independent characters calculated separately, e.g. a Marine Force Commander w/ Command Squad.

A: Yes.


Q: If a unit that had been joined by an independent character is falling back and is subsequently eliminated (by fire, for example), can the character then test for regrouping by himself?

A: As long as he is an independent character, yes.


Q: If a unit is wiped out by fire except for the character, does he have to take a morale check as if he were the last guy, including the modifier for being under 50%?

A: As long as he is an independent character, no.


Q: Can he then regroup without worrying about the rule for being below 50%?

A: As long as he is an independent character, yes.


Q: In the Dark Eldar Codex, in the Reaver description it says "Characters riding a Reaver jetbike may only be armed with single-handed weapons, and may only use one at a time (they need the other hand free to control the jetbike)."

Does this mean that:

a) Reaver jetbikes have this rule and nothing else does (Reavers being hard to control because they get the power boost).
b) All jetbikes get this rule (jetbikes being hard to control because they fly around the place - wheee!).
c) All bikes, even the Space Marine ones that do not have this rule listed, get this restriction ("duh, of course a biker needs to keep one hand on the handlebars").

A: Answer: a. The rule will only apply when its written down, though as a house rule players can use if for other bikers too, if they wish (or they can assume the bike has an 'autopilot' a la Judge Dredd).


Q: Is an independent character within 2" of a squad automatically part of it, or can he choose to not be part of it?

A: He is only part of the squad if you state that he joins it during the movement phase.


Q: Is there anything preventing Independent characters from joining units of vehicles.... The rules seem to allow this but it seems odd.

A: Tempting as this is, I can see some really horrible abuses this opens up so I think we can safely rule that only vehicle characters (ie Master of The Ravenwing) can join vehicle units.

 


Copyright 2000 by Doug Wolfe Last Updated Monday, July 2, 2001
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