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You can't use wings to draw LOS to a model. However, for LOS purposes do you assume the wings are there at all?

The situation came up that an enemy squad was firing at of my tanks, but it was almost completely obscured by his DP's giant wings. He said that since the wing's don't count that I don't get a cover save. It was a friendly game so it didn't matter that much, but I can see this being an issue if it comes up again in a tournament or something.

If you can't draw line of sight to something it can't block line of sight, no? Doesn't the rules still tell you to ignore such ornaments?

Wings can block LOS to another model behind them.

Yeah, they can block line of sight. I see your point though, it's kind of weird.

 Mahtamori wrote:
If you can't draw line of sight to something it can't block line of sight, no?

You would think so, but no, that's not how GW write their rules.

You ignore 'decorative elements' for determining whether a model is visible, but there is no rule that says to ignore them when determining if the model blocks LOS. Sadly, it's been that way since at least 2nd edition.

I see. So wings both exist and don’t exist at the same time, and can be used like mobile cover for stuff behind the MC. Lovley.
Added: Thanks everyone

Having said that, a lot of people do play that if something doesn't count for LOS, then it doesn't block either, regardless of what the rules say.

If in doubt, check with your opponent before the game to avoid misunderstandings.

Agreed with Insaniak. By RAW, decorative elements like wings or banners cannot be used to draw line of sight to the model, but are not expressly ignored for all other purposes. There has been a joke idea (that I'm sure someone, somewhere has tried) of modelling a standard bearer of some sort with a giant banner several inches wide and that touches the ground; place the model at the front of the unit and the unit technically cannot be shot from the front.

But yeah, check with your opponents if you're not sure about how they thing it should be dealt with. In my local group, it's a simple case of "don't be ridiculous", but we still follow the RAW.

Well, we might as well model a flyarant with wings covering him entirely then


Seriuously now, most people I know play it as "if a decorative part of a model hides it, its visible"
Not true for terrain pieces though. they got no "decorative" parts, ass is considered part of the terrain piece.

Boomwolf, the issue brought up in the other thread stands here... unless you modify a model or model for advantage, you will not run into models using large ornaments to block LOS to themselves. Thus, this issue is not one of LOS being blocked through decorative elements, but one of modeling for advantage, which was removed from this rule set.

IE, if your issue with the LOS rule stems from the batwing invisibility cloak of the tyrant, then your issue is really with that model, not a rule that applies to everything in the game.