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.

Scenario: necron overlord has a 2+ armour save. He's in a barge (+1 as) and in close combat. His armour is therefore 1+ though rolls of 1 always fail anyway.

Therefore, he gets an armour save of 1+ against ap2 and lower weapons, although a roll of 1 always fails anyway.

Any thoughts? Is this good enough?

There's no blanket "a roll of one always fails" in 40K. But a model can never have an Armor Save better than 2+ as it says on page 2 of the BRB.

There is the possibility of debating just what a 'Save' is, thanks to Game Workshop's duel use of terminology, but I remember this particular case for one interesting turn of events: It does not matter which method you use. Not only do both methods have specifically written restrictions, preventing the possibility of an auto-success regardless of which one you prefer, they both come to the very same conclusion in the end so neither gives you a higher chance of success over the other. So while I have seen certain rules specify if it is the 'Throw' or the 'Characteristic' being modified, many rules lack this definition factor and in those cases I am more then willing to let you decide which method you want to use.

The end result will be the same, regardless.

That and the rules literally state you cannot improve an armor save past 2+, so I'd suggest using that rule.

The 1+ save would be nice vs AP-2 if it was possible though eh?