There is no specific requirement to open the doors, any more than there is to open the doors of a Rhino or Landraider when the troops inside disembark.
However, leaving the doors up will have an impact on LOS from the Pod's weaponry.
If you do open the doors, they are effectively ignored for game purposes... again, in the same way you would ignore a rhino hatch that was lowered.
What you should do if you want to open the doors and there are models or terrain in the way, though... well, that one you're going to have to sort out with your opponent, since the rules don't really address it.
|