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Searched around a bit, couldn't find a specific answer for things like a Shokk Attack Gun. Do I roll the 2d6 STR before or after I declare a target? I don't see any FAQs on this unless I missed something and wanted to be sure. Waaagh!

PS. Much love to the new Ork Codex, been waiting since 5th edition! haha

"You may encounter a characteristic that is a random value instead of a number. For example, a Move characteristic might be 2D6", or an Attacks value might be D6. When a unit with a random Move characteristic is selected to move, determine the entire unit’s move distance by rolling the indicated number of dice. For all other characteristics, roll to determine the value on an individual – per-model – basis each time the unit makes attacks, inflicts damage, and so on."

Basically when you need to know the characteristic is when you have to determine it by rolling.
When you shoot first you have to choose the weapon, choose the target and then you need to hit, and thats when you need to know how many attacks, after that you need to know the strength, and so you roll for it then, and so on. Of course once you've chosen the target you can determine every random characteristic and then resolve the attack.
This is how it is commonly played and its my understanding of it but it is a clear example of GW poor writing.

Just note that in close combat this is diferent however, as you need yo know the number of attacks before you target, and so if you have a random number of attack first you roll and then decide with which weapon are you doing those attacks and against whom.

It's not poor writing at all. In fact this is one of the few times GW actually wrote a rule properly. Whenever a characteristic is random you roll when you need to use it. For the Strength of a ranged weapon, that is when you are rolling to wound, so that is when you determine its Strength. Because Rolling to wound is after declaring targets and rolling to hit, you roll for it after you've done all that.

 BaconCatBug wrote:
Whenever a characteristic is random you roll when you need to use it. For the Strength of a ranged weapon, that is when you are rolling to wound, so that is when you determine its Strength. Because Rolling to wound is after declaring targets and rolling to hit, you roll for it after you've done all that.

There is at least one exception.

The Foul Blightspawn's plague sprayer explicitly states that you determine the strength after selecting the target but before determining how many shots are fired.

And that exception proves the rule.

 JohnnyHell wrote:
And that exception proves the rule.

Yes I meant to say that. That GW felt the need to state for that weapon that particular order demonstrates that it's not the normal rule.

Thanks for the clarification guys!