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There's a debate happening elsewhere on this interaction, so I wanted to put it to you all.

Does the Vox Espiritum extend the range of the Captain in Phobos Armour's Omni-Scrambler ability?

Vox Espiritum
If a model has this Relic, add 3" to the range of its aura abilities (e.g. Rites of Battle). This does not increase the range of psychic powers or Litanies of Battle that are aura abilities.

Omni-Scrambler
Enemy units that are set up on the battlefield as reinforcements cannot be set up within 12" of this unit.

I have an opinion, but I want to see what others think first without leading them.

Thanks!

In short, both can be argued. I mean, RaW Aura Abilities are only abilities that "affect certain models", not units.

No, because a warlord trait is not the same as an aura ability. There are warlord traits which fit the description of an aura ability, but (aura) abilities is whats listed on a units datasheet.

7. Abilities
Many units have exciting special abilities that are not covered by the core rules; these will be described here.

Aura Abilities
Some units – usually Characters – have abilities that affect certain models within a given range. Unless the ability in question says otherwise, a model with a rule like this is always within range of the effect.

 p5freak wrote:
No, because a warlord trait is not the same as an aura ability. There are warlord traits which fit the description of an aura ability, but (aura) abilities is whats listed on a units datasheet.

7. Abilities
Many units have exciting special abilities that are not covered by the core rules; these will be described here.

Aura Abilities
Some units – usually Characters – have abilities that affect certain models within a given range. Unless the ability in question says otherwise, a model with a rule like this is always within range of the effect.

Whut? Omni-Scrambler is an ability on the Datasheet, not a Warlord Trait.

Oh my, i got confused, sorry about that. Both work together just fine.

 BaconCatBug wrote:

 p5freak wrote:
No, because a warlord trait is not the same as an aura ability. There are warlord traits which fit the description of an aura ability, but (aura) abilities is whats listed on a units datasheet.

7. Abilities
Many units have exciting special abilities that are not covered by the core rules; these will be described here.

Aura Abilities
Some units – usually Characters – have abilities that affect certain models within a given range. Unless the ability in question says otherwise, a model with a rule like this is always within range of the effect.

Whut? Omni-Scrambler is an ability on the Datasheet, not a Warlord Trait.

And even if it was a warlord trait, the quote doesn't state that the ability needs to be on the datasheet. So if the wt gives an ability it can be an aura

 p5freak wrote:
No, because a warlord trait is not the same as an aura ability. There are warlord traits which fit the description of an aura ability, but (aura) abilities is whats listed on a units datasheet.

7. Abilities
Many units have exciting special abilities that are not covered by the core rules; these will be described here.

Aura Abilities
Some units – usually Characters – have abilities that affect certain models within a given range. Unless the ability in question says otherwise, a model with a rule like this is always within range of the effect.

Actually, we know for a fact now that things not in the Abilities section of the sheet can be abilities. The text of Vox Espiritum debunks your theory here. Specifically this bit:

"This does not increase the range of psychic powers or Litanies of Battle that are aura abilities. "

This text specifically states that psychic powers and litanies can be aura abilities, and therefore are abilities.

This is not particularly relevant to the question, but is significant and should be noted.

terry wrote:

And even if it was a warlord trait, the quote doesn't state that the ability needs to be on the datasheet. So if the wt gives an ability it can be an aura

A warlord trait isnt an ability. Its a warlord trait. The core rules on pg.13 tell us that abilities are listed on a units datasheet.

7. Abilities
Many units have exciting special abilities that are not covered by the core rules; these will be described here.

 BaconCatBug wrote:
In short, both can be argued. I mean, RaW Aura Abilities are only abilities that "affect certain models", not units.

To show my hand a little, aura abilities are a bit more than that. They affect certain models within a range.

My argument is that as the ability prevents models from being placed at all, they are never affected within a range, and therefore the ability is not an aura.

 Stux wrote:

 BaconCatBug wrote:
In short, both can be argued. I mean, RaW Aura Abilities are only abilities that "affect certain models", not units.

To show my hand a little, aura abilities are a bit more than that. They affect certain models within a range.

My argument is that as the ability prevents models from being placed at all, they are never affected within a range, and therefore the ability is not an aura.

That was my initial thought as well but someone pointed out it is also technically affecting the unit with the scrambler as well.

 Stux wrote:

Actually, we know for a fact now that things not in the Abilities section of the sheet can be abilities. The text of Vox Espiritum debunks your theory here. Specifically this bit:

"This does not increase the range of psychic powers or Litanies of Battle that are aura abilities. "

This text specifically states that psychic powers and litanies can be aura abilities, and therefore are abilities.

This is not particularly relevant to the question, but is significant and should be noted.

I dont see where this debunks my theory that warlord traits arent abilities. I agree that some psychic powers and litanies of battles are aura abilities, thats what the vox espiritum rule is saying. But neither psychic powers, nor litanies of battle are warlord traits.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 BaconCatBug wrote:

 Stux wrote:

 BaconCatBug wrote:
In short, both can be argued. I mean, RaW Aura Abilities are only abilities that "affect certain models", not units.

To show my hand a little, aura abilities are a bit more than that. They affect certain models within a range.

My argument is that as the ability prevents models from being placed at all, they are never affected within a range, and therefore the ability is not an aura.

That was my initial thought as well but someone pointed out it is also technically affecting the unit with the scrambler as well.

They are affected by the scrambler, because they cannot be set up within 12".

 p5freak wrote:
I dont see where this debunks my theory that warlord traits arent abilities. I agree that some psychic powers and litanies of battles are aura abilities, thats what the vox espiritum rule is saying. But neither psychic powers, nor litanies of battle are warlord traits.

Because if the definition of ability is broad enough to cover psychic powers and Litanies it would be entirely arbitrary to exclude warlord traits unless you have some evidence for that.

That wasn't really my point though. My point is that we know for a fact that the definition of abilities is not dependent on the Ability section of the datasheet, so you can stop using that one now


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 p5freak wrote:

They are affected by the scrambler, because they cannot be set up within 12".

But if they're not setup then they're no affected within the range - how can you measure to a model that isn't setup? Therefore it's not an aura.

 Stux wrote:

Because if the definition of ability is broad enough to cover psychic powers and Litanies it would be entirely arbitrary to exclude warlord traits unless you have some evidence for that.

No, you have to show some rule citation that warlord traits are the same as abilities. The fact that some psychic powers and litanies of battle are aura abilities doesnt mean that warlord traits are aura abilities as well.

 Stux wrote:

That wasn't really my point though. My point is that we know for a fact that the definition of abilities is not dependent on the Ability section of the datasheet, so you can stop using that one now

So far, only psychic powers and litanies of battle are aura abilities.

 Stux wrote:

But if they're not setup then they're no affected within the range - how can you measure to a model that isn't setup? Therefore it's not an aura.

Ok, i see your point. Looks like you are right. I change my answer to it doesnt work together.

I agree with you that we don't know for sure whether Warlord Traits are. I just disagree with what the default position is based on the evidence available.

GW has never defined abilities, and that is an issue. I wish they'd do a proper glossary like they had in previous editions.

Precedent could have been set as per the Death Guard Errata.

Page 100 – Fugaris Helm
Change this ability to read:
‘Increase the range of the bearer’s aura abilities (e.g.
Arch-contaminator, Nurgle’s Gift, Tocsin of Misery etc.)
by 3".’

Tocsin of Misery is an aura that effects enemey units.

On this basis it would appear that Vox Espiritum would apply to Omni-scrambler.

New FAQ:

Page 185 – The Vox Espiritum
Change the second sentence to read:
‘If a model has this Relic, add 3" to the range
characteristic of its aura abilities (e.g. Rites of Battle) to
a maximum of 9".’

So regardless of whether it counts as an aura, this ability will not apply to Omni-Scrambler.