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Hi

I visited my local GW today and was told by a staff member and a manager that rapid fire can't be used in overwatch and that olny one shot is allowed as it is a reaction to being charged.

Can anyone else confirm this for me or would like to comment either way.

Thanks

The Overwatch rules do not mention only getting one shot.

It says "An Overwatch attack is resolved like a normal shooting attack" P.21

It's resolved exactly like a shooting attack.
Can you fire a Rapid Fire gun twice as a shooting attack?

Overwatch shooting is exactly like normal shooting except you can't cause morale/pinning checks and all shots are "Snapshots". The only restriction on snapshots are that template, blast, and ordnance weapons can't fire.

The Wall of Death rule handles template weapons, so the only weapons that can't fire are blast and ordnance weapons. Pistol, Rapid Fire, Assault, and Heavy all fire as normal. So your bolter gets 2 shots (assuming the assaulter starts at 12" or closer, which they should). Your Heavy Bolter gets 3 shots, your missile launcher can fire a krak missile, etc.

Thanks All.

You can see my problem, GW say one thing and the rules sort of say another but are a bit hazzy and don't say conclusively either way. All they do say is fire as normal.

Tyrion wrote:Thanks All.

You can see my problem, GW say one thing and the rules sort of say another but are a bit hazzy and don't say conclusively either way. All they do say is fire as normal.

Fire as normal, means just that. You fire as normal.

The rules are not "Hazzy" and they do say conclusively that you fire as normal.

Hmmm Sound like my local store has it wronge then =-)

*Surprise*

You should always say "Where does it say that?"

5 little words that will solve any rule dispute ever.

Part of the issue here is that people persist in the belief that 'rapid fire' is a mode of fire.

It's not. It hasn't been since 2nd edition, when only Marines could do it.

'Rapid Fire' is a type of weapon. That weapon fires one shot at long range, or two shots at short range. Firing two shots is not 'rapid firing'... it is firing two shots. The weapon is always rapid firing. That's why it is called a 'rapid fire' weapon.

insaniak wrote:Part of the issue here is that people persist in the belief that 'rapid fire' is a mode of fire.

It's not. It hasn't been since 2nd edition, when only Marines could do it.

'Rapid Fire' is a type of weapon. That weapon fires one shot at long range, or two shots at short range. Firing two shots is not 'rapid firing'... it is firing two shots. The weapon is always rapid firing. That's why it is called a 'rapid fire' weapon.

Insaniak has it correct.

As for the underlined:

Instead of calling it 'Rapid Firing' call it 'Double Tap' it will confuse less people.

Double tap sounds better than rapid fire IMO!

insaniak wrote:Part of the issue here is that people persist in the belief that 'rapid fire' is a mode of fire.

It's not. It hasn't been since 2nd edition, when only Marines could do it.

'Rapid Fire' is a type of weapon. That weapon fires one shot at long range, or two shots at short range. Firing two shots is not 'rapid firing'... it is firing two shots. The weapon is always rapid firing. That's why it is called a 'rapid fire' weapon.

I always imagine that Rapid Firing weapons are just like firing a modern assault rifle. At long ranges you'll need to aim carefully and fire single shots if you want any hope at hitting but at short ranges it's time to spray and pray.

Overwatch fire is definitely spray and pray time I think. In fact I can't think of a more appropriate time to develop a lead finger.