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I was re-reading the rules for smoke launchers and something struck me... In the description of them (in both the SM codex and IG codex) it says that the vehicle may not fire and use smoke launchers in the same turn. What about a unit that is riding in a Rhino or Chimera and shooting out of the top hatch? By RAW it would seem they are not a part of the vehicle (evenif they are a part of the same unit) and thus not subject to its restrictions. Fluff-wise they should be no more able to fire than the vehicle, but the rule actually does not mention a unit firing out of it. I have never played it this way and don't know of anyone who does, but by RAW am I wrong? Is there some sort of consensus or a GW clarification that the unit inside is a part of the vehicle? Interested in your rulings. Pls cite a page reference...

Yeah, this hole has been there since 4th edition was published in 2004. It's never been FAQ'd.

Yes, you can fire out the top.

Yes, many players choose not to, or simply overlook the option.

Oddly enough, this has come up in many of my games locally. We decided that since the rules basically state that since a unit is not technically on the field while in transport, they are considered part of the vehicle for all intents and purposes until departure. Therefore, the weapons fired by the embarked passengers are actually to be considered different vehicle weapons which are still subject to not firing during the use of Smoke Launchers. I will try and find pages ASAP.

Quite a few people play that way.

There are no page rulings or rules FAQ to quote.

Been a loophole for a long time.

Personally it qualifies as bullsh*t so I don't do it and I do my best to encourage others not to.

Theres actually a FAQ that sort of supports Daboss interpretation:

Q. If a transported model fires from a Fire Point or from
an open-topped transport, where do you measure the
LOS and range of the shot from?
A. As transported models are not physically on the table,
the shot is treated as a shot from the vehicle itself. This
means that the LOS and range are worked out from the
Fire Point itself, or from any point of an open-topped
transport.

Thank you Imriel, thats exactly what I was referring to. I remembered seeing it somewhere, just forgot where.

Thanks guys. I agree and will continue to play the way I have been (not allowing the passengers to fire out). It seems the most fair IMHO and makes the most sense to me.