Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I ran across a problem with 'Beam' type psychic powers in my first game of 6th. My opponent felt that you can target a point on the other side of a close combat and hit everything the line crossed. I felt (and still feel) that this is against the spirit of the targeting rules particularly on page 28, however reading through the Beam rules on page 69 I cannot see a good argument against it. It isn't a template, it can hit friends and foes, doesn't seem to need line of sight and even passes through walls. And in addition to that, it seems that since it doesn't target a unit you don't even have chance for a deny the witch against it.

Every aspect of it felt wrong, it seemed against the spirit of the page 28 rules imho, but I could not come up with a solid rules-based argument against it.

You can't target anything into close combat, it's pretty clear.

The part where the first model hit must be from the unit the Psyker's unit targets suggests deny the witch would apply.

edit: to Joey - And what is your reasoning? My original argument was due to the rules on page 28 and risk of hitting your own comrades. My opponents counter argument was that the beam specifically allows you to hit your own models, and as it is in complete and total control of you as the firer (ie no chance to scatter) the reasoning on page 28 cannot apply.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Nitros14 wrote:The part where the first model hit must be from the unit the Psyker's unit targets suggests deny the witch would apply.

The argument against that, was that deny the witch is only taken when you are targeted by a psychic power. Beam attacks target the ground. By the time you are hit by the damaging part of the power it has already 'resolved'.

Cryogen wrote:edit: to Joey - And what is your reasoning? My original argument was due to the rules on page 28 and risk of hitting your own comrades. My opponents counter argument was that the beam specifically allows you to hit your own models, and as it is in complete and total control of you as the firer (ie no chance to scatter) the reasoning on page 28 cannot apply.

Isn't it a pyscic shooting attack, and therefore follows the rules for shooting normal weapons? And can therefore not be targetted at a unit in close combat.

Joey wrote:

Cryogen wrote:edit: to Joey - And what is your reasoning? My original argument was due to the rules on page 28 and risk of hitting your own comrades. My opponents counter argument was that the beam specifically allows you to hit your own models, and as it is in complete and total control of you as the firer (ie no chance to scatter) the reasoning on page 28 cannot apply.

Isn't it a pyscic shooting attack, and therefore follows the rules for shooting normal weapons? And can therefore not be targetted at a unit in close combat.

Correct, but it does not target a unit. It targets a point on the ground.

I think that still counts as shooting into close combat, which is forbidden.

Joey wrote:I think that still counts as shooting into close combat, which is forbidden.

For what its worth, I completely agree with you. However I can see the other side of the argument, as annoying as that is.

Page 28 says you cannot "shoot at" models locked in close combat, and a PSA is definitely "shooting", regardless of sub type.