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Before we even begin, I want to make it clear that I have absolutely no issue with the RAI of the following. I'm simply calling the RAW of the matter into question. Also this will be a lengthy one, so if that's tl;dr, please refrain from throwing simply an Exterminatus and trying to be done with it as such.

In Charge Phase, more accurately in the 3. Overwatch step, we are told that:

"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker."

and

"Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack (albeit one resolved in the enemy's Charge phase) and uses all the normal rules except that a 6 is always required for a successful hit roll, irrespective of the firing model's Ballistic Skill or any modifiers."

So what we know from this is that when a Unit is declared as a target of Charge, it gets to shoot, following the normal rules for it, with the exceptions of doing it in your opponents Charge Phase and only being able to hit on 6s.

Now we take a look at the rules for Shooting. We have four phases in the sequence.

1. Choose unit to shoot with
2. Choose targets
3. Choose ranged weapon
4. Resolve attacks

Note the step four. "Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack--"

To clarify the question that will follow, I don't believe that step 4 and the highlighted sentence are connected. I believe that when stating that Overwatch is resolved, they refer to the whole sequence and not just the step 4. As we are no doubt able to choose the weapons with which we shoot the Overwatch. And thus we finally come to my question.

Are we allowed to pick multiple targets for our shooting attack in Overwatch?

HERESY!! I hear you cry, but please take a moment to follow my logic.

As mentioned, we know that Overwatch is shooting attack. Which follow the normal rules with only few mentioned excpetions.

1. Choose unit to shoot with
"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker."
To me it seems clear that Overwatch is here also restricted, as the rule for overwatch clearly, using the terms of the game, informs us that the one doing the shooting (Overwatch) is the target unit of a charge.

2. Choose targets
"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker."
Here we have a lot more loosely defined restriction given term "would-be attacker". Not a game term and there is not even any clear mention that the shooting (Overwatch) targets the charging unit or any unit at that matter. Not even that it targets a single unit, but for the benefit of the "would-be attacker", it is fare and reasonable to assume that the rule restricts us to shoot at least the charging unit.

Where as the Shooting Phase rules, 2. Choose targets step clearly states that "Having chosen a shooting unit, you must pick the target unit, or units, for the attacks." and continues to list the restrictions for this, being in range, seeing the unit, not being in combat already.

AND

3. Choose ranged weapon
Also informs us that "If a model has several weapons, it can shoot all of them at the same target, or it can shoot each at a different enemy unit. Similarly, if a unit contains more than one model, they can shoot at the same, or different targets as you choose."

And the...
4. Resolve attacks
Which details how to resolve the throws themselves. When Shooters, Targets and Weapons have been chosen.

So I return to my question. And I'd like to remind you that the RAI is as clear to me as it is to no doubt any of you, but I again ask how to read the RAW. Is "at the would-be attacker." a game term strong enough that it forces the "normal shooting attack" to conform into choosing a single target for the shooting when it is clearly stated later on that Overwatch is a shooting attack performed by the target unit of a charge, with the two clear exceptions that it is during opponents Charging Phase and only hits on 6s?

I don't see how you can call any of this "logic".

I came the same conclusion when examining the rules carefully myself.

They should have written:

'Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack (albeit one resolved in the enemy's Charge phase) and uses all the normal rules except that it may only target the charging unit and a 6 is always required for a successful hit roll, irrespective of the firing model's Ballistic Skill or any modifiers.'

However, regardless of the fact that they didn't write the rule as air-tight as it should be, its the kind of thing that the vast majority of players reading the rule will instantly understand the point of what the rule is trying to say (that you can only shoot the charging unit) and therefore its really a moot point, no matter how correct your argument might actually be.

 yakface wrote:
They should have written:

'Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack (albeit one resolved in the enemy's Charge phase) and uses all the normal rules except that it may only target the charging unit and a 6 is always required for a successful hit roll, irrespective of the firing model's Ballistic Skill or any modifiers.'

Like so. Or even:

"--fire Overwatch at the charging unit."

They are perfectly capable of calling the "would-be attacker" the charging unit right in the next step (4. Make Charge Move) and thinking back how this game has usually been played, how people take the RAW over RAI like the words of Bible or something... Such "oversight" just baffles.

 yakface wrote:
However, regardless of the fact that they didn't write the rule as air-tight as it should be, its the kind of thing that the vast majority of players reading the rule will instantly understand the point of what the rule is trying to say (that you can only shoot the charging unit) and therefore its really a moot point, no matter how correct your argument might actually be.

Indeed. I was rather nervous to note my findings in here as I've received rather thinly covered hostility from my local gaming group for daring to "troll" like this. XD

It has just been so many times in past editions that I've heard the phrase: "Yes, this is what they clearly meant with the rule, but this is how it's written now, so we go by that." that I kinda wanted to try and see how far the pious following of the holy word of RAW can go. Apparently there are some lengths even the most hardcore ruleslawyers won't embark on that road.

I started reading and thought you were going to argue that because of step 1 of the shooting sequence, a unit that advanced/fell back this turn isn't allowed to overwatch.
Then I kept on reading and saw you're not taking the easiest path down that road.

fresus wrote:
I started reading and thought you were going to argue that because of step 1 of the shooting sequence, a unit that advanced/fell back this turn isn't allowed to overwatch.

That they at least wrote clearly, stating it was this turn (aka the opponent's turn) and I don't think we yet have even any spells that would force opponent to advance or fall back... Even Treason of Tzeentch doesn't allow you control of enemy Characters during Movement Phase...

following that logic though, it sounds like you could split fire amongst all the charging units.

Unit A declares a charge, fire over watch at unit A
Unit B declares a charge, fire over watch at Units A & B

Velgar wrote:
Before we even begin, I want to make it clear that I have absolutely no issue with the RAI of the following. I'm simply calling the RAW of the matter into question. Also this will be a lengthy one, so if that's tl;dr, please refrain from throwing simply an Exterminatus and trying to be done with it as such.

In Charge Phase, more accurately in the 3. Overwatch step, we are told that:

"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker."

and

"Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack (albeit one resolved in the enemy's Charge phase) and uses all the normal rules except that a 6 is always required for a successful hit roll, irrespective of the firing model's Ballistic Skill or any modifiers."

So what we know from this is that when a Unit is declared as a target of Charge, it gets to shoot, following the normal rules for it, with the exceptions of doing it in your opponents Charge Phase and only being able to hit on 6s.

Now we take a look at the rules for Shooting. We have four phases in the sequence.

1. Choose unit to shoot with
2. Choose targets
3. Choose ranged weapon
4. Resolve attacks

Note the step four. "Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack--"

To clarify the question that will follow, I don't believe that step 4 and the highlighted sentence are connected. I believe that when stating that Overwatch is resolved, they refer to the whole sequence and not just the step 4. As we are no doubt able to choose the weapons with which we shoot the Overwatch. And thus we finally come to my question.

Are we allowed to pick multiple targets for our shooting attack in Overwatch?

HERESY!! I hear you cry, but please take a moment to follow my logic.

As mentioned, we know that Overwatch is shooting attack. Which follow the normal rules with only few mentioned excpetions.

1. Choose unit to shoot with
"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker."
To me it seems clear that Overwatch is here also restricted, as the rule for overwatch clearly, using the terms of the game, informs us that the one doing the shooting (Overwatch) is the target unit of a charge.

2. Choose targets
"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker."
Here we have a lot more loosely defined restriction given term "would-be attacker". Not a game term and there is not even any clear mention that the shooting (Overwatch) targets the charging unit or any unit at that matter. Not even that it targets a single unit, but for the benefit of the "would-be attacker", it is fare and reasonable to assume that the rule restricts us to shoot at least the charging unit.

Where as the Shooting Phase rules, 2. Choose targets step clearly states that "Having chosen a shooting unit, you must pick the target unit, or units, for the attacks." and continues to list the restrictions for this, being in range, seeing the unit, not being in combat already.

AND

3. Choose ranged weapon
Also informs us that "If a model has several weapons, it can shoot all of them at the same target, or it can shoot each at a different enemy unit. Similarly, if a unit contains more than one model, they can shoot at the same, or different targets as you choose."

And the...
4. Resolve attacks
Which details how to resolve the throws themselves. When Shooters, Targets and Weapons have been chosen.

So I return to my question. And I'd like to remind you that the RAI is as clear to me as it is to no doubt any of you, but I again ask how to read the RAW. Is "at the would-be attacker." a game term strong enough that it forces the "normal shooting attack" to conform into choosing a single target for the shooting when it is clearly stated later on that Overwatch is a shooting attack performed by the target unit of a charge, with the two clear exceptions that it is during opponents Charging Phase and only hits on 6s?

"Each time a charge is declared against a unit, the target unit can immediately fire Overwatch at the would-be attacker"

The use of the words "Which follow the normal rules with only few mentioned exceptions." is key here. I bolded the text that lists a few of the exceptions. Obviously you can't follow step one: as you don't get to pick the unit
Obviously you can't follow step two : as it tells you which target to shoot

It's literally in the same sentence, who shoots and who gets shot at. Unit fires at attacker.

If you ignore the second part of the sentence then you have to disallow the whole sentence and choose any unit that you want to fire and then fire at any unit that you see fit.

Also, the word RESOLVED is clutch here. you resolve only in step four.

So, Step one is out because you don't get to choose the unit firing (Use overwatch rule)
Step two is out because you don't get to choose the target. (use overwatch rule)
Step three, you get as normal as its the only part not modified by overwatch rule.
Step four, resolve (as stated in special overwatch rule)

This has got to be one of the best bendings of logic that I have witnessed. OP, I salute you.

You're wrong and maybe crazy, but a mad genius nonetheless.

Sorry for resurrecting an old post but I don't want to create a new thread when my question is based on one that already exists.

Overwatch rules and Harlequins.
The charge phase goes, charging unit is declared, overwatch is fired, if charging unit survives roll 2d6 and get into melee. Repeat for other units.
As stated above the shots of overwatch are made by the unit being charged, can only target the attacker, and use the normal rules of shooting except 6's are required to hit.
So, could Harlequins have a Troupe close to an enemy unit and a Troupe Master just behind the Troupe. Charge through the Troupe with the Troupe Master, since the flip belt allows him to ignore models and terrain while moving. Using the normal rules for shooting, the unit being charged could not fire overwatch at him because he is a character and not the closest unit to the unit being charged. Allowing him to avoid overwatch and get into melee. Then charge with the Troupe, and since the enemy unit is in melee they also cannot fire overwatch at them. Allowing the entire unit and Troupe Master to get into cc while completely avoiding any overwatch shots. Really?

It's not the shooting phase, the Troupe Master can be targeted for Overwatch as per the Main Rulebook FAQ.

Thank you. I knew that didn't sound right when I overheard this at the shop last week. Forgot about that being mentioned in the FAQ.