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There's been a debate amongst the players in my FLGS whether it is possible to use Psychic powers during Overwatch. We've come to an agreement that rulebook powers cannot be used until an FAQ is released.

Then I found this snippet in the rules, on pg 68, under Powers without a Type:
"If a psychic power does not have a type, the rules for using it will be clearly expressed within its entry."

Of course, this refers to codex psychic powers since they're not written for 6th, at least in terms of my understanding. Please, let me know if I'm wrong due to an FAQ or some other hidden phrase in the rulebook that prevents the following scenario.

The phrase I previously quoted tells me a C:SM Librarian can use The Avenger during Overwatch. Since The Avenger is a Template, it uses the Wall of Death rule for Templates, causing d3 hits.

Did I miss anything?

Stand by for the Dakka version of your FLGS debate.

Since I am a heavy psyker user, of course I agree that you can overwatch psychic powers. That's a given.

Before this thread turns into a name-calling abortion of an argument, let's go ahead and rule this as "discuss with opponen" before it gets out of hand.

Side 1: "Witchfire attacks work as shooting attacks, so can be fired in overwatch."

Side 2: "Rulebook specifically states you manifest psychic shooting attacks in the Shooting phase, not the assault phase."

There, summed it up for you as well .

Can you shoot?

You can use a psy shooting attack then, provided you have the warp charge, which you should, and you simply follow all the rules for shooting.

The sentence about when to use witchfire powers is for when you use your warp charges to roll your tests.

jms40k wrote:
Side 2: "Rulebook specifically states you manifest psychic shooting attacks in the Shooting phase, not the assault phase."

The rulebook also states that you nominate shooting attacks during the shooting phase, not the assault phase.
But Overwatch allows us to preform a normal shooting attack in the assault phase.
Witchfire counts as firing a weapon.

Now assuming they can still use a power (enough warp charges, not used the power in question already that turn ect..) then I'd say they can indeed use a power in Overwatch.

Depends entirely what kind of power your manifesting. Template weapons are all good and the normal gamut of powers that are normal Psychic Shooting Attacks are also good. The only ones that are no goes are the Blast and Large Blast ones as those are expressly denied in the rules for Overwatch.

grendel083 wrote:
The rulebook also states that you nominate shooting attacks during the shooting phase, not the assault phase.
But Overwatch allows us to preform a normal shooting attack in the assault phase.
Witchfire counts as firing a weapon.

Now assuming they can still use a power (enough warp charges, not used the power in question already that turn ect..) then I'd say they can indeed use a power in Overwatch.

Others may disagree, but this is the clearcut conclusion I've come to as well. I shot a text to a few of my usual opponents, and they all have come to the same conclusion. Still best to wait for a faq since there's doubtless going to be people arguing vehemently against it, but it looks clear to me.

The only criteria to look at should be the following:
Does it count as a shooting attack?
Have you used the power yet this game turn, barring powers that allow a second instance of the attack (ie; Eldrad's staff)
Do you still have the required charge to cast it?

I agree that it works. Most reasons have already been listed.