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So in my continuing quest to learn the game without playing the game, I call it mindhammer, how on earth are you meant to fire multi blast weapons and other questions? I apologise in advance for writing such a long post to cover something that is probably quite simple.

Heres my train of thought.

So we have the first four steps of a normal shooting sequence

1/Pick target unit
2/Check range.
3/Roll to hit, roll a D6 for each shot fired.
4/roll to wound

And the blast weapon rules start with "models do not roll to hit instead etc etc"

So the shooting sequence for a unit with blast weapons is.

1/Pick target unit.
2/Check range to unit
3/then instead of roll to hit the blast rules kick in.
>Pick a model visible to firer.
>Place centre of blast template over target.
>Check centre of blast template is in range.
>Roll scatter dice and 2D6
>Move blast template.
>Work out hits from blast weapons.
4/then its back to normal rules with the rolls to wound.

So while normal weapons say "for each shot fired" there is no equivalent for blast weapons. The multi blast rules say "If a unit is firing more then one blast weapon resolve each shot separately and then fire other weapons" but this rule doesn't cover firing the same weapon twice, just firing more then one blast weapon.

So here at long last are my questions.

The way I interpreted the shooting sequence for blast weapons rules suggest you have to measure the range to the unit before placing the blast template and checking the template is within range. If the target unit is on the edge of your range this gives you the advantage of knowing that those models on the far side of the unit are likely going to be out of range of the blast weapon whilst those models on the near side of the unit should be within range. Although to me this is what the rules seem to suggest it seems wrong. So is it done as I have written above or should you place the template before measuring anything?

When firing a blast 2 weapon do you?

1/Follow the multi blast rules for firing multiple blast weapons? (even though its one weapon)
2/Only place one template, role for scatter once and multiply the hits by two?
3/Place one template and roll scatter from that position twice?

The phase "Pick a model visible to firer" has me bothered. How does the target units own unit intervening models effect this Although I understand that models can always be shot at though members of there own unit without giving a cover save. A cover save is not line of sight. So can line of sight be drawn though models in a unit to a model at the back?

Thats about it I think. Thanks.

You tally up how many hits you get with all the blasts and shots from the unit then begin rolling wounds.

On the LoS bit if you can not see the enemy what so ever due to your own model being in the way then RaW you can't fire, but you'll rarely see if played that way unless it's like a vehicle squadron or something.

BlueDagger wrote:You tally up how many hits you get with all the blasts and shots from the unit then begin rolling wounds.

I understand that but that wasn't what I asked. Thanks anyway.

Bangbangboom wrote:

BlueDagger wrote:You tally up how many hits you get with all the blasts and shots from the unit then begin rolling wounds.

I understand that but that wasn't what I asked. Thanks anyway.

Sorry, that's what I get for skimming. You declare your shooting at which point you can measure range and roll your regular shots first then measure your blast shot which is from the center of the blast marker you have placed over your specific model target. You can also measure to the placed blast marker first. Since they are two separate ranges it doesn't really matter which you declare first as the situation of being on the cusp of blast range where part of the squad may be in range but not all is will rarely come about.

BlueDagger wrote:

Sorry, that's what I get for skimming. You declare your shooting at which point you can measure range and roll your regular shots first then measure your blast shot which is from the centre of the blast marker you have placed over your specific model target. You can also measure to the placed blast marker first. Since they are two separate ranges it doesn't really matter which you declare first as the situation of being on the cusp of blast range where part of the squad may be in range but not all is will rarely come about.

Cheers for that, that answers the 1st question.

BlueDagger wrote:
On the LoS bit if you can not see the enemy what so ever due to your own model being in the way then RaW you can't fire, but you'll rarely see if played that way unless it's like a vehicle squadron or something.

I don't think I worded it very well, I wasn't talking about my own model. I understand that you can always draw line of sight though your own firing unit. But a other units would block line of sight.

I will use an example. Lets say a unit arrived by deep strike with enough models to circle the original model twice, and that unit didn't run. Could I target the model in the middle even though the rest of his unit is blocking line of sight to him?

Anyone have answers to the other questions?

Bangbangboom wrote:

Just the questions with a little editing

Question 1. The way I interpreted the shooting sequence for blast weapons rules suggest you have to measure the range to the unit before placing the blast template and checking the template is within range. If the target unit is on the edge of your range this gives you the advantage of knowing that those models on the far side of the unit are likely going to be out of range of the blast weapon whilst those models on the near side of the unit should be within range. Although to me this is what the rules seem to suggest it seems wrong. So is it done as I have written above or should you place the template before measuring anything?

Question 2. To work you hits when firing a blast 2 weapon do you?

1/Follow the multi blast rules for firing multiple blast weapons? (even though its one weapon)
2/Only place one template, role for scatter once and multiply the hits by two?
3/Place one template and roll scatter from that position twice?

Question 3. The phase "Pick a model visible to firer" has me bothered. How does the target models own unit intervening models effect this. Although I understand that models can always be shot at though members of there own unit without giving a cover save. A cover save is not line of sight. So can line of sight be drawn though models in a unit to a model at the back of that unit?

Thats about it I think. Thanks.

LoS to model - RaW no you couldn't shoot the guy in the center if you can't draw LoS to him, that being said though you will find that almost never happens. the chances that you can't see even a spec of his non-decorative body mass is highly unlikely.

3/Place one template and roll scatter from that position twice

Question 3 was answered by my earlier answers. RaW yes if the firer can't see the target due to his own squad blocking the way then you can't fire since you can't draw LoS, but you will hardly find that anyone will ever call you out on that as it's rather TFG to do so.

BlueDagger wrote:LoS to model - RaW no you couldn't shoot the guy in the center if you can't draw LoS to him, that being said though you will find that almost never happens. the chances that you can't see even a spec of his non-decorative body mass is highly unlikely.

3/Place one template and roll scatter from that position twice

Question 3 was answered by my earlier answers. RaW yes if the firer can't see the target due to his own squad blocking the way then you can't fire since you can't draw LoS, but you will hardly find that anyone will ever call you out on that as it's rather TFG to do so.

Well that about covers all of that then. Thanks for the help.

By the way you did say LoS blocked by "your own model being in the way" not blocked by the target squads own models.

But seriously thanks for sticking around and answering my dumb ass questions

BlueDagger wrote:LoS to model - RaW no you couldn't shoot the guy in the center if you can't draw LoS to him, that being said though you will find that almost never happens. the chances that you can't see even a spec of his non-decorative body mass is highly unlikely.

3/Place one template and roll scatter from that position twice

Question 3 was answered by my earlier answers. RaW yes if the firer can't see the target due to his own squad blocking the way then you can't fire since you can't draw LoS, but you will hardly find that anyone will ever call you out on that as it's rather TFG to do so.

Members of the firing models own squad do not block LOS. So determine LOS as if the other members of the shooter's unit are not there. Page 16, main rules.

As for how to handle a single weapon that fires multiple blasts, well, to be blunt, GW screwed up yet again and the rules just do not cover it. Most of us will agree that you follow the multiple blasts rules.