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Playing a guy last night and he said scarab swarms get a 2+ cover save when he turbo boosted them. He stated they get +1 to the cover save and that turbo boosting is defined as a cover save rather than invulnerable. Doesn't seem right as they aren't technically in cover. Just wide in the open. Is this true? Darth Diggler? Stelek? Anyone?

I imagine this is a dodgy loophole but RAW yes, turbo boosting grants a "3+ cover save" and scarabs as a small target get +1 to thier cover saves

I coulda sworn I read in some horrible to find place that turboboosted units may not use the swarms rule.

Sadly, coulda been an advance FAQ or playtest rule.

I still get RT rules mixed up with v5 rules. lol

I looked but I am really really tired, so I'm not focused.

I coulda dreamed it up, who knows.

It's not a loophole.

Why shouldn't really small speeding targets (scarabs) be harder to hit than much larger speeding targets (bikers)?

This is why god invented flamers.

Or failing that a SoB Immolator with Blessed Ammo

Scarabs only get a bonus to their cover save if they are actually in cover. So, no. That said, a 3+ cover save is harsh: use flamethrowers.

Nurglitch wrote:Scarabs only get a bonus to their cover save if they are actually in cover. So, no. That said, a 3+ cover save is harsh: use flamethrowers.

And on what do you base that?

STEALTH
The ability to make maximum use of available cover has
saved many a warrior from discovery and death. All of
the unit’s cover saves are improved by +1.

All cover saves means all cover saves.

Webbe:

I base it on the rules for Necron Scarabs. They don't have the Stealth rule.

Their Swarms rule says that their cover save is at +1.

I think the confusion is:

Scarab Swarms weren't given USR "Swarms" in the Codex, but they were called 'Swarms' in the Necron FAQ.

They had their own special rule, which by RAW seems like it is a Captain Planet rule when you consider the rest of the rules of 5E.

Scarabs in cover, get +1 to their cover save IF in cover.
Swarms, get +1 to any cover save.
Go to ground, get +1 to any cover save.

So...while they can't get 1+ cover, can they negate a markerlight hit reducing their cover by -1, to a 2+; if they are in 4+ cover and 'GTG', 'Swarm', and 'Scarab Codex rule'?

Yes, I realize what the intent is. What the RAW is, seems different.

They didn't say 'replace the rule in Codex with the USR', they just said 'yes they are swarms and thus gain the USR'.

Man. What a mess.

Scarabs are listed as being "Swarms" in their codex. They also have the "Small Target" rule, which gives them +1 cover save.

In addition, the 5th edition rulebook states that Swarms have the Stealth special rule as well.

So either way, Scarabs get +1 when they turbo boost, making their cover save a 2+.

So yeah, use flamers or other cover ignoring weapons.

EDIT: Looks like Stelek sort of beat me to it.

From the FAQ;

Q. Are Scarab Swarms swarms, as described in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook?
A. Yes

From the rulebook;

Swarms
Swarms represent creatures that are too puny to be an individual threat on the battlefield, but when operating as a seas of dozens of the creatures they can destroy much larger enemies. All swarms have trhe "stealth" and "vulnerable to blast/templates" special rules. In addition, intervening swarms never offer any cover save to monstrous creatures or vehicles.

Stealth
The ability to make maximum use of available cover has saved many a warrior from discovery and death. All of the unit's cover saves are improved by +1

edit: Ok, so I'm slow. Do I get extra credit for the exact quotes though?

Yes, you do. Exact quotes are always good to have.

This ia bit off topic but its the same thing mandrakes get a bonus too there cover save i think its plus +2 would that be add too there coaver save if there screened by another unit or is it just another loop hole mistake?

For Mandrakes, they are just like Pathfinders. They always get a +2 to any cover save they might get.

So if you are out in the open, you get a 4+ if you go to ground.

If you are in 4+ cover it's a 2+ cover.

Mandrakes are fuuunny.

If you could take 3 mandrake units and 3 grotesque units...that'd be one sick army.

Dont forget that those swarms have to take dangerous terrain tests if they end their turn in difficult terrain.

Also, after looking at the rules on page 76, yes they can get +1. Though in the rulebook I didnt see any mention of small targets, just stealth. Is that a codex specific thing?

Well if it has been FAQed as Aduro mentioned, then scarabs get a +2 cover.

i say that scarabs get 2+ cover szve when turbo boosting

damn why didn't i remember that while be shot to death by pulse rifles

Stelek wrote:For Mandrakes, they are just like Pathfinders. They always get a +2 to any cover save they might get.

So if you are out in the open, you get a 4+ if you go to ground.

If you are in 4+ cover it's a 2+ cover.

Mandrakes are fuuunny.

If you could take 3 mandrake units and 3 grotesque units...that'd be one sick army.

I am understanding that pathfinders that are out in the open field, but behind a squad of lets say guardians, their cover save is not the usual 4+ for gaining cover behind the guardians but is instead a 2+?
Perhaps I will have to take some pathfinders in the eldar army I am beginning to construct.

Webbe wrote:Why shouldn't really small speeding targets (scarabs) be harder to hit than much larger speeding targets (bikers)?

Makes perfect sense to me.

Unless they've specifically stated that Swarms have some additional rules when it comes to Turbo-Boosting - 2+ saves it is! Just makes Scarabs an even better deal than they are now.

BYE

Calling shenanigans on Nurglitch.

In cover or not, according to RAW, scarabs get a 2+ save when boosting.