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Here we go:

1) The steam points used to charge become impact hits (D3) in the following HtH phase isn't it?
2) In the Close Combat phase does it can use MORE steam points to add the ones already generated by the charge move?

That is: the tank generated 6 steam points and uses 3 steam points to charge the enemy, it is granted 3XD3 impact hits in the next combat (his turn's combat phase). Now in combat, can it spend another two to then add up 5XD3 impact hits?

3) Now, provided something survived such amount of S6 impact hits to the next combat phase (the opponent's); could it spend the last steam point to generate impact hits although it is not its turn? (the rule is not clear to me). Or it simply stays still and only can attack effectively every two rounds of combat because steam points are lost at "the end of the turn"?



Thanks in advance for the clarifications

As per the Empire FAQ
Steam Tank, Movement phase Change to “Each SP allows you to move the Steam Tank 3". To charge with a Steam Tank, first declare the charge as normal, and then specify how many SP you are using to charge with. The charge range of the Steam Tank is equal to 3" per SP that is spent. In addition, each SP spent on the charge adds D3 to the number of Impact Hits inflicted by the Steam Tank in the Close Combat phase. Note that you do not add the roll of 2D6 to the charge range when a Steam Tank charges, and that the target unit may make a charge reaction as normal.”

So, question 1) Yes.
Question 2) also yes, but I am unsure of why you wouldn't just expend them on the charge.

Considering the I value of the ST and the fact that any roll of a 6 can now wound, its more (slightly more) beneficial to just spend them on the charge as opposed to waiting until the ST's turn in the ensuing close combat phase.

Question 3) No. All your steam points are lost at the end of your turn. You can only generate steam points during your turn, and as such, the Steam Tank is useless in your opponents Close Combat phase.

"each SP spent on the charge adds D3" - meaning ONLY those used to charge give you impact hits, on the turn you charge.

Well the FAQ doesn't change the section of the Empire book on the Steam Tanks rules for close combat phase. I would have to look again, but I thought you are allowed to expend them in the close combat phase as well.

It really has no bearing though on the game, as you could expend them on the charge anyway, and having left over steam points at the end of the turn is a waste, so you might as well just spend what you got.

You can spend a point to move, and do an extra D3 impact hits.
You can spend a point to grind, which does D3 automatic hits.

Either way, you're going to be spending ever point you got for a fist full of S6 automatic hits.

-Matt

HawaiiMatt wrote:You can spend a point to move, and do an extra D3 impact hits.
You can spend a point to grind, which does D3 automatic hits.

Either way, you're going to be spending ever point you got for a fist full of S6 automatic hits.

-Matt

But at different inititatives because impact hits go first per rule and grinding hits go last because of initiative I think

Grinds are impact hits- even in rounds where the Stank didn't charge...

Red_Zeke wrote:Grinds are impact hits- even in rounds where the Stank didn't charge...

Mmmmm... I see...

So in fact there isn't a difference between using steam points to charge and using them later in HtH.

Except using them all to charge gives you a chance to catch fleeing enemies or redirect to further targets.

So spending points in the close combat phase is kinda a "left over" of past editions that was not FAQed (not that it affects anything anyway).

Ya, I was incorrect in my first post about the I value. Red_Zeke was correct in that any SP spent in the close combat phase is worked out as an impact hit, which happen before any blows are struck anyway.

You could then spend a certain number of SP to charge, then spend more to impact hit in the ensuing close combat phase if you wished, but it would be detrimental to your ST for the reasons that Hoverboy mentioned. You are much better off just spending anything you intended on during the actual charge.

Just don't forget that the Steam Tank is also classified as a Chariot with D3 impact hits, so Charging the full 5 steam points will get you 6D3 impact hits with a potential of 18 S6 hits, and most probably wounding on 2's. Slam it into some swordmasters... bye bye unit