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Total noob question here-- How, exactly, do you aim cannons?

My friend contends that you have to "guess" the cannon's direction when you do the pivoting to point the cannon in the direction it's firing, then draw a straight line over the barrel and towards the direction it's pointing. Is this true? If it is, what does that mean for multi-barreled weapons like Organ Guns?

Organ Guns don't fire as cannons do, they can fire at anyone in their front arc, so a close pivot is close enough.

As for cannons, I've seen a few different interpretations, but the way that I do it (and I've never had anyone request that I do it differently) is pivot the cannon to face roughly where I want it to fire, and nominate a target point on an enemy unit. Now, with multiple guess range weapons, it's hard to keep track of all the guesses and target points, so I number my guess range weapons before the shooting phase, and write down how many inches each is firing on a quick spreadsheet, and place a die with that weapon's number on it along the intended firing angle and as close to the target point as possible. Then, during the process of firing each one, if my opponent agrees I will fire the cannon based on its' current position. If they insist, I'll pivot it further to make it line up perfectly, but this usually has absolutely no bearing on what gets hit or missed.

In 6th edition I sometimes saw folks argue that you had to physically aim the actual cannon. My local group played that way for a bit.

Nowadays I always see people play that you point the cannon generally in the right direction (which is much quicker and simpler), but don't literally have to aim it. You nominate a target point and just measure the distance from the cannon to that point. I honestly can't recall if the phrasing of the cannon rules has changed, or whether the "aiming" interpretation has simply fallen into general disfavor.

Thanks for reminding me of the exception for the Organ Guns.

And the way you do it is the way I would imagine--that the pivoting is more for show (looks cool and reminds you what they're shooting at) than it is a skill-based aiming exercise.


I'd rather not have to worry about both that AND guess distance again.

With cannons/ warmachines also keep in mind the consistent measuring IE where you are measuring from. All my warmachines have bases, so I always inform my opponent I will always measure from the front edge of my base, for reference my warmacines are on 40mm bases.

Some people measure from a base, others a particular point on the cannon, consistency is the key to fun and fair gaming.

From my gaming group, gt, and in store play, you don't really have to physically "point" the cannon. But if opponents like you do, its easiest to oblige. For guess range we do the nominate all your shots, we use 2d10's to mark the inches, and measure away. The dice are do you never forget what your guesses were

The actual cannon rules state rather clearly that you nominate a target model that you are aiming for - the pivot is for show. Being a member of the same group as Mannahnin, this was one of the first things I looked for when 7th Edition came out.

Thanks guys! I'll be sure to make a note of this. On my friend's face.

Manfred von Drakken wrote:The actual cannon rules state rather clearly that you nominate a target model that you are aiming for - the pivot is for show. Being a member of the same group as Mannahnin, this was one of the first things I looked for when 7th Edition came out.

I just noticed this for the first time. If I recall correctly, pervious edition FAQs allowed you to nominate a space on the board as a valid target. The rule here is clear, however. You have to aim at a model. So, if you want to play a bounce shot you can intentionally guess low, but you can't target the ground in front of the unit. Huh. We've always just allowed cannon players to put a token down at the spot they're aiming at.

Personally, I do both. I nominate the target model, and then so that there aren't any accusations of hijinks, I also nominate a target point along that same line, so that it is pre-established as to exactly who else besides that one target model will get hit. Trust me, if I've got a broadside shot on a 50x100mm base, a valuable target (like a lone character) 6" away on the opposite side, as well as a target of opportunity (random fast cav or something) 2" away on a different angle, you're going to prefer I specify what point I'm aiming at before I roll those dice for the bounce to see if I would reach the lone character too.

ImperialTard wrote:Thanks guys! I'll be sure to make a note of this. On my friend's face.

How will they read it then?

Others will read it to him. That way everyone can tell him how wrong he is!