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Can Gift of Chaos kill multiple models? The Thousand Sons/Chaos Space Marines codexes clearly state that GoC targets "an enemy unit", and RAW also states that mortal wounds roll over onto the other models in the unit, so I take it to mean that it can inflict mortal wounds to multiple models.

However, after dropping a Terminator Sorcerer in and nuking a squad of his Scourges, my brother tells me that it was FAQd to target a model, and I have seen this written elsewhere online. My search of the FAQs has yielded nothing in confirmation of this, but for the effect of D3+3 MW if manifested does seem OP for WC6, albeit with the added difficulty of rolling against the target's toughness beforehand.

What do you think RAW states? HWYPI? Thanks in advance.

Doesn't matter who you target, mortal wounds spill over to other models in the same unit.

The only exception would be if the rule in question explicitly states that the mortal wounds don't spill over, overruling the mortal wound rules. If it doesn't say that, then it absolutely can kill multiple models from the same unit.

I've just checked the FAQ for Chaos Space Marines and it says it targets a unit and not models anyway, so it looks like your friend is very wrong here.

It's very rare for something that does damage to target a specific model within a unit anyway, as that can lead to multiple damaged models in the same unit, which the game rules don't tell us how to deal with for wound allocation.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I've also done some math on Gift of Chaos Vs Smite to help you understand the power level of the ability. 3+d3 mortal wounds LOOKS very scary, but it is significantly less likely to go off. So on average this is how it breaks down against a T4 target:

Smite
1.66 average mortal wounds

GoC
1.2 average mortal wounds

So as you see, on average you'll do more with Smite. GoC just has a much higher POTENTIAL.

Against a T3 target though, GoC comes out on top. You also have to factor in how many other Smites you plan to cast that turn (as they have diminished chance of success with each use) and how important it is that you do some damage Vs a lower chance of doing a lot of damage. Also the 6" range on GoC can be crippling, as you can never use it from deep strike.

Thanks for your help, I think he thought that because it says on Battlescribe that it targets a model, for whatever reason. As much as I'd love to warp T4 enemies into screeching, Chaos infused flesh, I think I'll stick to squishy T3 targets like Drukhari HQs, mwahahaha...
I should also add that I play Thousand Sons; Brotherhood of Sorcerers is a blessing! Bow down to smite spa- err, I mean, Chaos...

 guyperson5 wrote:
Thanks for your help, I think he thought that because it says on Battlescribe that it targets a model, for whatever reason. As much as I'd love to warp T4 enemies into screeching, Chaos infused flesh, I think I'll stick to squishy T3 targets like Drukhari HQs, mwahahaha...
I should also add that I play Thousand Sons; Brotherhood of Sorcerers is a blessing! Bow down to smite spa- err, I mean, Chaos...

Glad to be of help!

Yes, against Drukhari it will be a fair bit more effective. Still riskier than Smite of course! And you still need to get within 6".

Bare in mind that to get a Spawn you will need to set aside reinforcement points for it though.

The reason it says model on Battlescribe is because the maintainer missed it in the FAQ!

It'll be fixed in the next release.

MadSpy wrote:
The reason it says model on Battlescribe is because the maintainer missed it in the FAQ!

It'll be fixed in the next release.

A lesson for the OP's friend! While Battlescribe is an invaluable tool that I love to use, it is not a rules resource.

^^This.