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I was recently reading my IG Codex when I noticed something in the fine print.

In the section on the Deathstrike, it says it has a D3+3" Blast, but below that, in the '*' bit, it states that it's a variable blast radius. Now we all know that a radius is just half of the circle, so that would mean that the actual diameter of the blast would be 2 D3 +6" Which could explain the ludicrous point cost for a one shot weapon.

If anyone has an opinion on whether or no this is a valid interpretation of the rules go right a head and state it.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, it is the radius, mainly because it says radius. By the laws of mathamatics, you would then assume it to have a diameter of (2*(D3+3")), a circumference of (2*(Pi*(D3+3"))) and an area of (Pi*((D3+3")^2)))

Off topic: Dakka seems to not be able to display a Lower Case Pi symbol :(

Edit: Typographical Error Amended.

yes, you multiply it by two as it is the radius. It could almost be humerus.

But then that would be an anatomical joke.

Gwar! wrote:Yes, it is the radius, mainly because it says radius. By the laws of mathamatics, you would then assume it to have a diameter of (2*(D3+6")), a circumference of (2*(Pi*(D3+6"))) and an area of (Pi*((D3+6")^2)))

Off topic: Dakka seems to not be able to display a Lower Case Pi symbol :(

Actually its 2*(D3+3")


I caught a Gwar! mistake. Do I win the internets?

Timmah wrote:

Gwar! wrote:Yes, it is the radius, mainly because it says radius. By the laws of mathamatics, you would then assume it to have a diameter of (2*(D3+6")), a circumference of (2*(Pi*(D3+6"))) and an area of (Pi*((D3+6")^2)))

Off topic: Dakka seems to not be able to display a Lower Case Pi symbol :(

Actually its 2*(D3+3")


I caught a Gwar! mistake. Do I win the internets?

Yes, you win the internets good sir! Apologies for this typographical error, which shall be rectified post haste. I thank you kind sir for bringing this minor error to my attention so that it may be corrected.

This is making me happy. Maybe making one will be my next project.

Thanks for the feedback!

Off-topic: a radius is not half a circle, it's half of a diameter.

Does it say that the weapon has a 2(D3+3) blast or a D3+3 blast? Because a D3+3 blast would indicate that it not only has a variable radius, but also a varialbe area, circumference, and diameter as well.

I think it should not be read into that the writers meant to have a 2(D3+3) blast because they chose their wording poorly.

D3+3 does indeed=variable radius. You are making a huge leap in imagining that the writers intended a 2(D3+3) blast. No where in the description does it say it has a D3+3 radius blast.

augustus5 wrote: No where in the description does it say it has a D3+3 radius blast.

O RLY?
Page 57 Codex: Imperial Guard

*The Deathstrike missile cannot fire directly. The Weapon has a variable Blast radius. Once the final position of the missile has been determined, mark the impact point with a counter and roll to determine the blast radius . All models within range of the impact point are hit.

Would you like a scan?

With all due respect, I ask that one reads the codex's before posting.

Here is the profile for a deathstrike missile: 12-960 inch range, S10, AP1, Ordinance Barrage, D3+3 BLAST, one shot only.

So where are you getting that it should be 2(D3+3)? Because it says the blast has a variable radius? At D3+3 it does have a variable radius. The radius would be (D3+3)/2.

That makes sense now. I bought my new IG codex and was confused at how the rulse for the weapon were worded.

Time to make a sweet conversion and nuke some xenos

augustus5 wrote:Here is the profile for a deathstrike missile: 12-960 inch range, S10, AP1, Ordinance Barrage, D3+3 BLAST, one shot only.

So where are you getting that it should be 2(D3+3)? Because it says the blast has a variable radius? At D3+3 it does have a variable radius. The radius would be (D3+3)/2.

I ask you again to READ the Codex. If you read what I just posted, you will see that D3+3" Blast is what is called "A Reminder". Read the full rules and you will see how to use the deathstrike. I even wrote it up for you to read here. Here it is again, this time with feeling:

*The Deathstrike missile cannot fire directly. The Weapon has a variable Blast radius . Once the final position of the missile has been determined, mark the impact point with a counter and roll to determine the blast radius . All models within range of the impact point are hit.

Do you see now it is a D3+3" Radius? You do not measure the diameter. You place a point (The Centre of the circle) and measure D3+3" to find the radius. All models within D3+3" of the Centre point are hit. Thus, the Diameter is ((D3+3")*2) and the Radius is D3+3"

Radius could have a different definition in this context.

5. a field or range of operation or influence.
6. extent of possible operation, travel, etc., as under a single supply of fuel: the flying radius of an airplane.

from dictionary.com

EDIT: usually when talking about a blast radius, do people assuming to measure from the point of origin and draw a straight line to the lip of the crater? Or do you say blast radius as in, thats the area the blast had taken place in?

but I like the idea of a variable circular radius, mainly because I play IG and have a bias. :-p

I've read the codex and I've read your post Gwar. I just really disagree with you on your view. You're usually a stickler to RAW, and it does not get any more RAW than reading the summary line for the weapon, which states:...D3+3 blast. Not D3+3 radius blast.

augustus5 wrote:I've read the codex and I've read your post Gwar. I just really disagree with you on your view. You're usually a stickler to RAW, and it does not get any more RAW than reading the summary line for the weapon, which states:...D3+3 blast. Not D3+3 radius blast.

Full Rules > Summery. Read the full rules. It tells you exactly how to determine its effect. Stop ignoring the rule you do not like.

Once again, I ask you, read the full rules, and you will see D3+3" is the radius. It even uses the word Radius. How can you argue it is not?

I concur with Dr. Gwar! For once his RAW interpretation lends itself to some truely awesome happenings in game.

I think radius in the context is easily noted as a circular radius as templates are such. Wow I even spelled all that correctly.
Modquisition: definitions are somewhat against Tenets unless defined or used to aid. In this circumstance I'd proffer its use is acceptable to clarify a discussion point.

I have no idea what this argument is about.

It tells you how to determine the radius, it's the radius. For the Deathstrike's cost, fluff, and unreliability it damn well better be the radius.

*The Deathstrike missile cannot fire directly. The Weapon has a variable Blast radius. Once the final position of the missile has been determined, mark the impact point with a counter and roll to determine the blast radius . All models within range of the impact point are hit."

Yup, that's shore 'nuff how you figure a radius. Center point, measure outwards, makes a nice lil' circle.

Gwar you can continue to allege that I have not read the codex or I do not have it open in front of me on page 55, but I just disagree with your interpretation. I don't see where it says the radius is D3+3 inches. It says it has a variable radius. It does not say that the radius is D3+3.

Since in the weapon profile it shows the weapon to be D3+3 blast, I assume that is the intended size of the blast.

augustus5 wrote:Gwar you can continue to allege that I have not read the codex or I do not have it open in front of me on page 55, but I just disagree with your interpretation. I don't see where it says the radius is D3+3 inches. It says it has a variable radius. It does not say that the radius is D3+3.

Since in the weapon profile it shows the weapon to be D3+3 blast, I assume that is the intended size of the blast.

Well I am afraid you are incorrect. It says "Roll to determine the Radius" if we were meant to half it, it would say so. -Shrug-

SilverMK2 wrote:yes, you multiply it by two as it is the radius. It could almost be humerus.

But then that would be an anatomical joke.

You don't have to twist my arm about it!

Hail, YMDC! I bring the juiciest of gifts: an actual rules question!

Does the deathstrike hit at half strength against vehicles, since it has no hole, or full strength, since it's simply a blast of a given radius, and not a normal blast?

Edit: D'oh! Thanks.

The codex answers your question right on that same page, ajfirecracker, right underneath the weapon profile

Its pretty easy to figure out I mean gak its basic math.

Radius ; varies 4 inches to 6inches from center.

Not 8 inches to 12inches that would be the Diameter.

I don't even know how this is being argued. The radius of a Deathstrike missile is always going to be 4"-6". Even when I squint and hold the rulebook really far away it seems foolproof.

Yeah IMO only intentionally misreading can read it as anything other than a D3+3" radius even if it does not come right out and say it as clearly as you might like.

Even actual attorney-lawyers would feel shame trying to make it seem like anything else.

Even I think its a 4"-6" radius...

Come on guys, I'm disappointed in all rules lawyers.

(Maybe there aren't enough arguments as of late in YMDC. Time to break out my Captain in terminator armour question.)

Yeah I dont see where people are getting a 2(d3 + 3 ) equation.

It's Radius = D3 + 3

2(D3+3) is diameter, given a D3+3 radius.
The argument is whether the rules follow the clear instruction to measure D3+3 for the radius, or the shorthand of Blast X, where X in Apoc (normal 40k uses blast vs. large blast) indicates the diameter.