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In the main rule book FAQ:
"With the exception of Stratagems, ALL RULES (e.g. ABILITIES, Warlord Traits, psychic powers etc.) that would apply in a specific phase apply to actions that are taking place ‘as if it were that phase’"...................."For the purposes of this FAQ, OVERWATCH ATTACKS are also considered to be attacks made as if it were your Shooting phase."
(this full unedited question and answer is at at the bottom of this post)

So the way I read that, when I get charged and start Overwatch attacks it is now considered to be my shooting phase. Letting me use all rules, including abilities.

Hive Commander:
"In each of your Shooting phases, you can pick one friendly <HIVE FLEET> unit within 6" of the Swarmlord. That unit can move (and Advance, if you wish) as if it were the Movement phase instead of shooting."

Besides being REALLY cheesy, is there any reason this ability wouldn’t work during overwatch?


(Full question and answer)
Q: When a rule allows a model or unit to take an action (move,
shoot, charge, fight or attempt to manifest a psychic power)
outside of the normal turn sequence, and that rule explicitly
mentions to make that action as if it were a different phase of the
turn structure to the current one, e.g. ‘That unit can shoot as if it
were the Shooting phase’, do rules that are normally used during
that phase (in the example this would be the Shooting phase) take
effect? Is the same true of Overwatch attacks?
A: With the exception of Stratagems, all rules (e.g.
abilities, Warlord Traits, psychic powers etc.) that would
apply in a specific phase apply to actions that are taking
place ‘as if it were that phase’. However, if a Stratagem
specifies that it must be used in a specific phase, then
it can only be used in that phase (e.g. you cannot use a
Stratagem that says ‘Use this Stratagem in the Shooting
phase’ to affect a unit that is Shooting ‘as if it were
the Shooting phase’). For the purposes of this FAQ,
Overwatch attacks are also considered to be attacks made
as if it were your Shooting phase.

Yes. You are only acting as it is the Shooting Phase while making your Overwatch Attack for the unit in question. You don't get to have a magic Shooting Phase with your whole army. You get to utlize any rules that impact your Shooting Attack, but that's it.

If the unit that is being charged does not have the Hive Commander rule, then it can not use the Hive Commander rule.

Just because Overwatch is taking place ‘as if it were that phase’ for the unit "within 6" of the Swarmlord" does not mean it is the shooting phase for the Swarmlord.

Therefore you can not use the Hive Commander ability if a unit of warriors is allowed to shoot Overwatch (And "within 6" of the Swarmlord").

Though if the Swarmlord was firing overwatch, then you should be able to move a different unit due to the new FAQ.

As the others have said, you can't use Unit B's ability when Unit A acts as if it were a phase.

Also, why is this a poll? The rules are not a democracy.

I want to start by saying I think this is a bs thing and even if technically allowed is bad form to use it.

But...

Units don't have shooting phases. Players do. When you get charged that unit gets to shoot as though it is the shooting phase.

ALL RULES that would apply in a specific phase apply to actions that are taking place ‘as if it were that phase’".

So on your (the player) as if it were the shooting phase you should be able to activate any shooting phase ability at your disposal.

Again, it's bs. I wouldn't play it that way or play with anyone who would. But I can see the argument that GWs gak rules writing MAY have made it RAW.

The way i understand it is this, the charged unit would be able to move (and advance) instead of overwatching, because the hive commander rule says it can move instead of shooting.

 BaconCatBug wrote:
As the others have said, you can't use Unit B's ability when Unit A acts as if it were a phase.

Also, why is this a poll? The rules are not a democracy.

Because it’s a quick way to gauge consensus, and more people may engage with the poll than post in a thread. Stop trying to sound superior by posting this when I’ve explained before why people use it. Don’t confuse ‘poll’ with ‘vote’.

OP, it’s a big no from me too. Not remotely possible for the reasons others have already given.

The key part of the quoted FAQ is:

“...apply to actions that are taking place ‘as if it were that phase’.”

The action in question is that a specific unit is shooting. Does the rule in question apply to this action? No, it does not.
It is only considered your shooting phase for the exact purpose of the things that are shooting and nothing else.

Gendif wrote:
The key part of the quoted FAQ is:

“...apply to actions that are taking place ‘as if it were that phase’.”

The action in question is that a specific unit is shooting. Does the rule in question apply to this action? No, it does not.
It is only considered your shooting phase for the exact purpose of the things that are shooting and nothing else.

Absolutely agree.

You can't use Hive Commander, even if you are shooting with Swarmlord (somehow). Because you are only treating it as the shooting phase for the purposes of making a shooting attack. All shooting phase abilities related to that attack come into play, but it doesn't allow you to do other actions not related to that attack.

Same deal as if you were treating it "as if it were the movement phase", you wouldn't be able to bring on deep striking units after moving.

So you can overcharge plasma guns in overwatch?

 Sazzlefrats wrote:
So you can overcharge plasma guns in overwatch?

You’ve always been able to.

 Sazzlefrats wrote:
So you can overcharge plasma guns in overwatch?

Yes you can.

Bare in mind that modifiers still apply to the hit roll too. It still only hits on a natural 6, but if you have a -1 to hit then overcharged plasma will kill you on a 1 or 2 due to the modifier.

Just like Tesla not going off if you have a -1 to hit in overwatch even though you hit with a 6.