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The rules tell you to pick a point, roll a dice, and everything in that range of the point takes a hit. Even if it didn't use the word "radius" you follow that rule for determining what is hit by the weapon.

The fact that, mathematically, you are also determining the radius of a circle that describes the area of effect of the weapon is really secondary.

Just noticed something, maybe it's just my codex, but it raises an interesting point; what do you do when two passages conflict with one another directly?

Codex: Imperial Guard wrote:12"-960"

Codex: Imperial Guard wrote:12"-Unlimited"

Not that it matters a great deal in this case, but some editor obviously went through the pain of fitting the word "unlimited" in very cramped space on the summary page. I'm also interested in what everyone does when they find an obvious conflict like this.

(Let the GW flaming begin)

In the case of an error, limit yourself to the more restrictive one pending an errata.

Use 960" as the upper bound until GW erratas otherwise.

If 960" isnt enough, you need to get your miniatures off the oval and have a good look at yourself!

ajfirecracker wrote:In the case of an error, limit yourself to the more restrictive one pending an errata.

Use 960" as the upper bound until GW erratas otherwise.

Not necessarily, don't forget: Unit Description > Unit Entries > Unit Summaries.

In this case, use the first one - summaries are the least reliable source of info.

I agree that it is a radius of 4" to 6" (not diameter) as well. Think of it this way, your radius IS D3+3" so you roll your dice and say you roll a 2 for a 5" radius. You take your imaginary compass (not the directional kind but the mathmatical kind and set it at 5". You then place the point at the center of the blast (after rolling for deviation of course) and use the pencil end to draw the effected area. It does specifically state that it is the radius and not a diameter.

To answer your question Hollismason, they are getting the 2(d3+3) equation for the diameter of the the blast. Radius (from the center to the edge of a circle) is D3+3 and diameter (a full line across the circle through the midpoint end to end) is twice that amount so it then becomes
2(d3+3).

Just looked at the rules, and whilst I respect the interpretation proposed by some to limit it between 4-6" (that is, your arguement has merit and your proposed interpretation is perfectly valid given the wording) diameter I personally have read this as 8-12" diameter.

1) I think the more natural interpretation of the rules indicates this. The description states d3+3 blast *. the asterix * after the word blast in the Wargear section indicates more information is provided in interpreting this section. This is repeated in the summary section where an * indicates that additional rules are detailed in their entry.

Reading this this additional information, the it refers specifically to 'variable blast radius' - Radius being the key term here. The words state that once the centre has been determined, roll to determine the blast radius - not roll to determine the blast diameter. The roll required is of the aforementioned d3.

2) The large blast template has a diameter of 5". (Whilst Im afraid of putting logic as an argument for rules of a game), If I were designing rules for this, and at most you could gain an inch on the large template - I (logically) wouldnt bother with it.

Further, the cost of 160points for a tank that fires once if you are lucky, has no additional weapons, and has the basic profile of a chimera means you really want that single shot to count.

Mathematically you may get 5-ish models under a standard large blast template. Add an inch to that, and
you may grab 7-10-ish (roughly). So its now the equivalent of 2 blast templates if you are very lucky firing a weapon of roughly equivalent to the Medusa, which can fire every turn (presuming it lives) - a measly 135 points.

the devastation that a 8-12 inch diameter st 10 ap 1 shot can provide makes 160 points believeable, given tho it is incredibly unlikely that it will ever fire, and even when it does, its likely to take your own men out as much as your opponents.

3) Fluff wise (always the weakest arguement), the words "able to destroy an entire army" and the little story about the Ork stolen one in Baric Six certainly indicates an explosion of ridiculous size. Also, the words "few weapons unleash as much devastation as a DS Missile" - a 6 inch diameter st 10 AP1 weapon is tough, but devastating?

I realise Im unlikely to convince the doubters, but were I to ever play or face one, I would use the 8-12" radius.

Thanks for reading.

No, you would not. You would use the 8-12" DIAMETER. You would use the 4-6" radius.

If it had a 12" Radius, I would take 4 In every game i Played

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.

Seriously? I think theyre just trolling you Gwar, i looked up the deathstrike a few days ago thinking of this very argument, and was quite happily suprised to find out that its d3+3" Radius! much better than i thought. Looking at a summary, and then reading the full rules will explain how the missle works, but apperantly you either only use AB, or are missing the important pages of your codex. But hey im glad you dont have any orders for your guard, cause that would benifiet you greatly, but since its not on the summary sheet you dont have em.

fire4effekt wrote:Seriously? I think theyre just trolling you Gwar

Yeah, I know. I am just refusing to rise to the bait anymore, as that is what got me b& last time

This question's been answered.