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So, focused witchfires, specifically ones that don't exceed the warp charge cost of the spell, are resolved "against the closest model in the target unit instead."

I'd been working on the assumption that meant closest model (in the target unit) to the psyker (like standard shooting allocation), but my friend thinks it's the closest model to the initial target. Is there a compelling argument for either? If it is the closest model to the initial target, how does that work with units of only a single model (the use of the word "instead" means it can't hit the original target?)?

Reference - Focussed Witchfires, rulebook page 27

What is the closest model in the target unit? The one that is the least far from your unit...

Nothing about the wording states that the object is anything other than the unit.

nosferatu1001 wrote:
What is the closest model in the target unit? The one that is the least far from your unit...

Nothing about the wording states that the object is anything other than the unit.

100% this.

You target the unit, and pick a model to be affected if the conditions are met. If they are not met you use the normal shooting allocation rules.

I can understand the confusion though:

A) "against the closest model in the target unit instead."
B) "against the closest model in the target unit instead."

Closest model from the target model, or closest model from the unit firing. If there was anything to make it clearer?

Obviously from the wording in Blast & other i'd go for B) and closest from your Psyker, but intent could well be you get the unfortunate guys standing next to your target.....