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.

Not sure if this has been covered or not already but there's a contradiction between the marker light's Pinpoint ability; "Pinpoint can increase the Ballistic Skill of Snap Shots and Overwatch" and the BRB FAQ;

"Q: Can the BS1 of a Snap Shot ever be modified by special rules
that modify the BS of a model’s Shooting attack (such as Space
Marine Signums or Sergeant Telion’s Voice of Experience)? (p13)
A: No."

I know that Codex>BRB but this is a FAQ so I'm not sure which has precedence

The FAQ was written before the Tau Codex came out. The Markerlight rule specifically mentions being able to improve snap shots, the other abilities mentioned in the FAQ (Signums, Voice of Experience) do not.

An FAQ for a rulebook is still effectively just an extension of it; a rule in a Codex is still going to override both if it specifically says so.

It also comes down to a case of the general rule (that special rules can't improve snap shots) being overridden by a more specific rule (that Pinpoint can improve the BS of snap shots).

GW's choice of wording in the FAQ certainly could be better, but I think it's pretty clear that the Pinpoint ability does exactly what it says on the tin.

 Cheexsta wrote:
An FAQ for a rulebook is still effectively just an extension of it; a rule in a Codex is still going to override both if it specifically says so.

It also comes down to a case of the general rule (that special rules can't improve snap shots) being overridden by a more specific rule (that Pinpoint can improve the BS of snap shots).

GW's choice of wording in the FAQ certainly could be better, but I think it's pretty clear that the Pinpoint ability does exactly what it says on the tin.

I agree with the Cheese guy.

I'm quite sure that FAQ used to include Markerlights as well.
Once the latest Tau codex came out they removed it from the FAQ because it specifically allowed it.

K so if I'm following you guys the reason why pinpoint works is because it specifically says it allows snapshot boosting. So the Faq is essentially worthless if a codex comes along and contradicts it?

It's not useless since it shows that no special rule modify snap-shots unless they precise it.

It depends the Frequently Asked Question.

If the Frequently Asked Question was designed for that codex then it would clearly trump whatever was found within it, as it was designed to correct problems within that codex itself. If it was designed to correct one of the many rules found in the Basic Rule Book then it is designed only for that book, and can be trumped by any Codex as per... I think page 7 in this case. This is because they are amendments for that particular book/codex and are not to be considered far reaching changes to other books or codexes without a lot of debate and consideration.

 Skimask Mohawk wrote:
K so if I'm following you guys the reason why pinpoint works is because it specifically says it allows snapshot boosting. So the Faq is essentially worthless if a codex comes along and contradicts it?

It's not worthless... it clarifies it for those items that don't specify one way or the other.

Stated rule in BRB says you can't do A.

Stated rule in Army Codex says you can do A.

Codex rules trump BRB rules. It doesn't make it worthless though. Here's an example: For charging, only the unit being charged can fire overwatch at the charging unit according to the BRB. The Tau Codex has a rule that allows all my units with the special rule of supporting fire to also fire overwatch at the charging unit if they are within 6in of the unit being charged.

The BRB is a basic set of ground rules with the codex having exceptions to the rules on occasion. In this case the Tau Codex allows markerlights to help snapshots and overwatch. It's allowed because the Tau Codex specifically states it.

 Skimask Mohawk wrote:
K so if I'm following you guys the reason why pinpoint works is because it specifically says it allows snapshot boosting. So the Faq is essentially worthless if a codex comes along and contradicts it?

That faq was talking about things that don't specifically mention altering snap shots. It's not worthless, it just has a limited scope like most FAQs.