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My question is... am I wrong to think that a warlock conclave can only attempt to cast smite once per turn?

Depending on the number of models in the unit, the conclave as a whole has the ability to attempt to manifest / deny a number of psykic powers. The controlling player simply designates a model in the unit for measuring range and visibility in the event that the power has range or visibility limitations.

"If this unit has 1-3 models it can attempt to manifest one psychic power in each friendly Psychic phase, and attempt to deny one psychic power in each enemy Psychic phase. If this unit has 4-6 models it can attempt to manifest two powers and deny two powers, and if it has 7-10 models it can attempt to manifest three powers and deny three powers. This unit knows the Smite power and two psychic powers from the Runes of Battle discipline (pg 124).

If this unit has more than one model, when manifesting or denying a psychic power, first select a model in the unit – measure range, visibility, etc. from this model. If this unit suffers Perils of theWarp, it suffers D3 mortal wounds as described in the core rules, but units within 6" will only suffer damage if the Perils of theWarp causes the last model in the manifesting unit to be slain"

In addition, the general 40k rules read "A psyker cannot attempt to manifest the same psychic power more than once in a turn.".




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, would the following powers affect the unit as a whole or a single model in it?

WITCH STRIKE
If manifested, until the start of your next Psychic phase, add 2 to the Damage characteristic of this psyker’s melee weapons?

FOCUS WILL
If manifested, select one friendly <CRAFTWORLD> PSYKER model within 6" of this psyker. Until the end of this phase, when a Deny the Witch test is taken for that model, add 2 to the total.

It'd be the whole conclave for WS and a single model for FW, right?

The unit as a whole can attempt Smite once per turn.

As for individual powers, it depends on their wording. If it says model it only affects that model, not the whole unit.

"This Psyker" is a little weirder, as the whole unit is casting. Although you measure from one model, it doesn't say that only that model is the Psyker casting the power - therefore I would rule that Witch Strike affects the whole unit.

Focus Will clearly on affects one model though.

RAI, for me, would be that you only Smite once, and only one model gets the damage boost form WS.

I'm not quite sure how I'd justify that RAW though. Interesting.

Rulebook is vague on what is a "Psyker" means, as this is also connected to the poorly implemented keywords as well. The manifesting powers is referenced as "model." So I can see there is a RAW argument that each model gets to cast smite up to the number of powers a unit can cast. However rather moot with the smite nerf outside of narrative.

The whole unit is a psyker. Each psyker can only manifest one smite per turn.

When you make a Conclave, all the Warlocks become one, single, multi-model unit. So the unit as a whole manifests powers. Thus they all benefit from Witchstrike, but the unit can only attempt to manifest Smite once.

dont have my book to hand but arent all Warlock stuck with diet Smite due to being the bestest wizard race in the galaxy....

as for Witch Strike, save it for the Yncarne

From the Psychic Awakening: Phoenix Rising FAQ:

Q: How does the Witch Strike Rune of Fortune psychic power work when manifested by a Warlock Conclave unit with more than one model?

A: The psychic power applies to the model you select when you are asked to select a model to measure range, check visibility, etc. from.