Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Cloud of flies states that you can not shoot the unit unless it is closer. (It mentions nothing of phases except when it ends)

Can a unit fire overwatch at a unit that has been clouded?

RAI? Yes-it's basically Character Protection.

RAW? Still yes, I think so. You aren't targeting them, you're just firing at them. Same reason you can Overwatch Characters.

If you read the Death Guard faq if a character uses cloud of flies he can't be targeted at all (unless he is closest) even by sniper like weapons.

THE_GODLYNESS wrote:
If you read the Death Guard faq if a character uses cloud of flies he can't be targeted at all (unless he is closest) even by sniper like weapons.

As stated above you aren’t being targeted. Charging activates overwatch which then starts the sequence of roll to hit/wound/etc

THE_GODLYNESS wrote:
If you read the Death Guard faq if a character uses cloud of flies he can't be targeted at all (unless he is closest) even by sniper like weapons.

The context of that FAQ question is implying the shooting phase, where the grey area is coming from is when overwatch is involved.

Since Cloud of Flies doesn't determine what phase it's active in and just says it applies until the start of the next movement phase.

So > Cloud of Flies. "... Enemy models can only shoot this unit if it is the closest visible target"
> Overwatch "... Overwatch is resolved like a normal shooting attack (albeit one resolved in the enemy's charge phase) "

I'd play it as you can't overwatch them unless they're the closest unit.

Since there is no official word from GW on the topic, I'd suggest discussing it with your opponent first before spending the CP and your intent etc.

A good way to think about it is, you only "target" a unit during the Shooting phase. You get to shot units that are charging. Which is why you can shoot charging characters.

I would say yes it still applies.

Full wording is the stratagem is:

Use this Stratagem during your movement phase. Select a DEATH GUARD INFANTRY unit. Until the start of your next movement phase, enemy models can only shoot this unit if it is the closest visible target.

RAW they are protected during over watch if there are walkers or anything else closer. Says nothing about targeting or shooting phase. Just simply until next movement phase it can't be shot at. That includes shooting during over watch.

Sadly the great GW golden rule (cause they don't know how to write them), each of you roll a die and whoever wins picks the way the rule will work.

 werewolfhunter wrote:
A good way to think about it is, you only "target" a unit during the Shooting phase. You get to shot units that are charging. Which is why you can shoot charging characters.

That's just not true.
It's a normal shooting attack, including all steps of the shooting phase.
You need weapon range and visibility to the charging unit, we had that clarified in enough FAQs. That's both in step 2 of the Shooting Phase: Choose Targets

RAW is clear on this: you can't target them.

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.

Edit: and just to clarify: you can target characters with Overwatch because that targeting restriction is only active during the Shooting Phase.

I agree if it is put on a character. But if put on a unit it follows the same rules as being a character. The FAQ on overwatching a character is also covered and allows for them to be attacked with overwatch. So a unit with cloud of flies can be target with overwatch but a character can not.

 werewolfhunter wrote:
I agree if it is put on a character. But if put on a unit it follows the same rules as being a character. The FAQ on overwatching a character is also covered and allows for them to be attacked with overwatch. So a unit with cloud of flies can be target with overwatch but a character can not.

No.
Please quote the part from Cloud of Flies that allows this.

Targetting characters with Overwatch is possible because they are only protected in the Shooting Phase. Overwatch happens in the enemy Charge Phase, even the attacks follow all rules from the Shooting Phase. The current phase doesn't magically change, though.

Yep you're correct, so we'll stop playing the game and argue over the rule until the store closes/someone has to go home (or a ref if playing in a tournament) or we can just roll a die and whoever wins picks how it'll be played that time.

 werewolfhunter wrote:
Yep you're correct, so we'll stop playing the game and argue over the rule until the store closes/someone has to go home (or a ref if playing in a tournament) or we can just roll a die and whoever wins picks how it'll be played that time.

Or, just a thought, we play by the rules without making stuff up like you did and don't roll off?
When a question is posted in YMDC people normally want to clarify how this rule is to understand, not some interpretation that compares them with character targeting that does have nothing to do with the question asked.

So as not to start a thread war or to derail the thread any further. You are correct, again. I saw the question and answered it on how I saw it.

 werewolfhunter wrote:
I agree if it is put on a character. But if put on a unit it follows the same rules as being a character. The FAQ on overwatching a character is also covered and allows for them to be attacked with overwatch. So a unit with cloud of flies can be target with overwatch but a character can not.

There's a difference, though. The character can be attacked in overwatch because the targeting restrictions against characters are specified in the Character boxout to be during the Shooting Phase, so would not be applicable outside the shooting phase. Cloud of flies is different; SeanDavid1991 posted the stratagem below you. The stratagem specifies until your next movement phase you get the protection, not just during the shooting phase. It also says that the unit can't be shot, without mentioning targeting at all. That means the arguments in the thread that you don't target a unit during overwatch doesn't matter (whether or not you are targeting the unit then) as you are certainly trying to shoot the unit, and you would not be able to do that if there's a close unit according to the stratagem.