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Hi,

I have a simple question regarding rules interactions regarding 'count as' cover and vehicles. In the extended rules analysis section it mentions that a unit that counts as getting the benefit of cover, is like being entirely on or in a terrain feature with the light cover trait. Now in the terrain rules section, only Swarm, Infantry and Beasts units get the benefit of cover associated with any of the four main terrain features (Hills, Area, Obstacles etc), for being on or in them.

Does this mean that a vehicle can never get the benefit of cover, even from rules that grant it, on account of the above restrictions?

My reading of this might be circular.

PS I am thinking specifically of things like Shroudpsalm and the Space Wolf psychic power.

Counts as in cover abilities bypass the terrain logic check (because its the ability providing the benefit, not a piece of terrain), meaning that as long as you fulfill the requirements for the counts as in cover you can get it, regardless of your keywords.

I would have thought that, but the rule specifically states that you count as being on or within a terrain feature that grants light cover.

Only the mentioned Keywords get those benefits when on or in terrain features.

If they said it just gives +1 armour save, I would have read it that way.

Alternatively, I may just be over reading it

Vehicles get light cover from those rules

You need to realise that getting benefits from cover works in two steps.
1 - check the type of terrain, eg is it a hill, obstacle, building or area terrain. Specifically, obstacles and area terrain are the ones that make the distinction that you have to be Infantry, Swarm or Beast to benefit.
2 - check the traits of that terrain. There are some unit keywords mentioned here - for instance, Defensible has benefits for Infantry - but importantly, Light Cover does not require a unit type.

When you're told that a unit is benefitting from an in-cover ability that grants Light Cover, you're completely skipping step 1. Or to put it another way, "terrain" does not automatically also mean "area terrain".

Covered in the Rare Rules section. Vehicles get the light cover benefit.

Keep in mind, Area Terrain is not the same as having the benefit of cover.