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The question is in the title. Most characters only carry pistols anyway (although some are significantly more armed, like tech priests) so they don't really do that much in the shooting phase. So to make up for that, what if characters could target other characters with their ranged attacks? In a way, it's a bit like duelling...which is quite cinematic.

My concerns, which is why I'm not 100% on it myself, is the few characters who carry more powerful and longer ranged weaponary. A primarus lieutenant with an auto bolt rifle for example. What do you guys think?

Use snipers.... characters are fine the majorty of which already are great value.

Orks, Tyranids and Chaos (none forgeworld) don't have snipers though.

 Rydria wrote:
Orks, Tyranids and Chaos (none forgeworld) don't have snipers though.

That. Snipers are good, but not everyone has them.

Characters can already target characters in the shooting phase. You just have to get them where the character is the closest model to them.

 dracpanzer wrote:
Characters can already target characters in the shooting phase. You just have to get them where the character is the closest model to them.

I know. I'm just asking, should that restriction be removed.

I don't like it, as you said there are only two possibilities: the character has a bolt pistol (or equivilent) in which case it really doesn't make a difference or the Character has Plasma, Melta, some crazy shooting weapon, etc. where they'll snipe characters in 1 to 2 turns. There's too much swing in the effectiveness of such a rule.

Yeah that is the big issue with it. I guess it's best to just leave it alone.

As a Tau player, where my characters carry more guns than my Tanks, I support this idea.

Tyranids have lictors and deathleaper as their sniper equivalents. Just because its not called a sniper doesn't mean the army lacks options.

Like the thought of the idea but there are flaws as pointed out earlier between characters with pistols and those with stronger weapons. An another way to do this could be that if a character fires a pistol they could use it to target another character even if they are not the closest unit.

 Rydria wrote:
Orks, Tyranids and Chaos (none forgeworld) don't have snipers though.

technically tyranids have access via GSC. Chaos has access as well via marines. Orks don't but maybe that's thier thing like necrons and tau don't have psychers.

gungo wrote:
Chaos has access as well via marines.

Explain?

gungo wrote:

 Rydria wrote:
Orks, Tyranids and Chaos (none forgeworld) don't have snipers though.

technically tyranids have access via GSC. Chaos has access as well via marines. Orks don't but maybe that's thier thing like necrons and tau don't have psychers.[/quote

I too wish to know.

Yeah this is a bad idea because some characters can bring the pain on weapons. Think about Tau, or Eldar, both have some characters with super long range damaging weapons. Doing this would lead to people either only taking super durable characters, or as few cheap as possible.

It is a bad idea. I'm embarrassed I even brought it up now.

Well all the objections are garbage and you were just floating an idea and it is a good idea. Yes there are some problems and all you have to do is figure them out.

pelicaniforce wrote:
Well all the objections are garbage and you were just floating an idea and it is a good idea. Yes there are some problems and all you have to do is figure them out.

Not all the objections were garbage.

It is an interesting idea, but there are problems that come with it, and they have been listed.

The question is: Can this idea be sufficiently tweaked so that it doesn't take a briefing to explain it, and address the concerns?

The main concern is many, not all, Characters carry high damage Weapons, particularly the Monsters. That leaves the Characters who benefit the most by this restriction we are trying to bypass being potentially one-shotted, or one-turned, by said Weapons. If it is good enough to stop Mr Devastator Lascannon from doing it, why can't it be enough for Mr Hive Tyrant, or Captain with Combi-Melta?

pelicaniforce wrote:
Well all the objections are garbage and you were just floating an idea and it is a good idea. Yes there are some problems and all you have to do is figure them out.

It's a little harsh to say that all the objections to it are garbage because of the issue of certain characters having very powerful ranged weaponry. Tau Commanders for example. But, I think it could be done in a limited capacity. As you say, we just have to figure it out.

It could be done as part of a command trait or piece of wargear. The Ork gitfinder for example.

 Talamare wrote:
As a Tau player, where my characters carry more guns than my Tanks, I support this idea.

As a Guard player, where my characters ARE Tanks, I support this idea.

Nobody's characters be safe with Pask gunning for them.

There's the major issue with it right there.

 mrhappyface wrote:

gungo wrote:
Chaos has access as well via marines.

Explain?

Sorry meant renegade maurauders.

The only army without access is orks and that's because they get no allies. To be fair not every imperial army gets snipers either but they can always pick up a vindicare.

Pask and crisis suits can only do it to things that are their size or bigger. The point is "in a way, it's a bit like duelling...which is quite cinematic," and Pask or Farsight just splatting a squad sergeant isn't that cinematic, it isn't even their job.


Of course, a squad sergeant trying to blow up one of those two is very cinematic.

gungo wrote:

 mrhappyface wrote:

gungo wrote:
Chaos has access as well via marines.

Explain?

Sorry meant renegade maurauders.

The only army without access is orks and that's because they get no allies. To be fair not every imperial army gets snipers either but they can always pick up a vindicare.

Well Rydria did specify non Forgeworld.

Perhaps pull a (modified) page from bolt action? Have the character roll a die, on a 4+, they can target another character - prehaps one not in cover?

For the size thing.

So tau cadre fireblades get a pretty nice 30" rapid fire rifle with some drones that will likely be near them giving an extra 6" range.

So take 3 cause you can and they are cheap and then just blast away at all those 4-6 w support characters like crypteks. Why pay for snipers?

When it seems like having lots of range is a problem with this rule, it should require TLOS. Getting to use the rule from far away cannot be easy.

Then, also, it's a cadre fire blade, it is good at this stuff. The player will have to be good to make it work.

There should also be a system that allows quality troops to survive better against inferior troops but I think if fireblades and the primaris lieutenants can get in a good position they should be able to take some chunks off of characters, since they are characters that are shooting characters but characters' stats don't matter when shooting like bs, s, a, and movement/initiative do in close combat.