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Hi, I need some help/thoughts about the DA exarc power "defend".

Codex say enemies "loose one Attack in each assault phase (to a minimum of 1)".

Q1. Does this say the enemies loose 1 A for the rest of the assault or, that they keep loosing 1 A in each assault phase, for -2 A in phase 2, -3 A in phase 3 etc ?

Q2. Is this "minimum 1" directed at the base A characteristics of the enemies, or at the total attacks after adding A bonus(es) for extra weapons, assault etc.

My own interp is that the enemy loose [just] 1 A for the entire of the close combat, and that it lower the attack value after any bonuses has been added, but Im not sure. Any thoughts on this?

Sorry if this rule has been discussed before, I didnt find anything on a search. (and I suppose some would say you ought not to buy that power as DA should keep out of CC anyway, but Im still curious)

It's a little vague, so I'm not going to try and tell you what a strict RAW interpretation is. But, it is almost always interpreted as so:

1) They loose 1 attack for that assault phase. Meaning: It doesn't last forever. They end up being at -1A for as long as their engaged with the DA and it never goes higher than -1. Once they break free of the DA, they regain that attack.

2) The minimum 1 is a per model after bonuses are applied. So, if a model with 1 base attack and has a bonus for 2 CCW, strikes with only 1 attack.

And, I am someone who says don't buy the power and keep DA out of CC!

Oh btw does anyone know if Defend works for characters attached t the unit? i.e. if a squad of chaos space marines assaults a squad of DA with a farseer attached, do the chaos marines lose an attack if they direct their attacks towards the farseer?

Exarch powers work only for the squad and attached Autarchs. Its in the rules for Exarch powers....

The key wording here is that they lose one attack in that assault phase.

Next assault phase is a different one so they lose 1 attack.

I'd also agree with Grakmar and keep them out of CC.

They are a shooting aspect who can fill a gap in cc at a push.

Best if you concentrate on what they are good at.

nosferatu1001 wrote:Exarch powers work only for the squad and attached Autarchs. Its in the rules for Exarch powers....

Nos has it correct.

Defend only works against individual models who are directing their attacks at the DAs and an attached Autarch or Assurman. If a model only attacks a different squad or a Farseer, they don't loose an attack. If they split attacks between DA and something else, they do loose an attack.