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.

Theres a discussion going on right now thats hinging on the fact that the rules for weapons state:

Weapon Abilities: Unless otherwise specified, the abilities listed on a weapon's profile take effect each time an attack is resolved using that weapon profile

The issue in question revolves around "When the bearer fights..." effects.

Its obvious weapons that "make 2 attacks instead of 1 for each attack made with this weapon" simply multiply your attacks, but im hearing a lot of arguments that weapons that say "each time the bearer fights, it makes 1 additional attack with this weapon" you have to actually swing with that weapon to get that bonus.

My argument against it is: How is "when this model fights..." not an exception clause? Thats pointing to a specific event, arguably meaning you have to attack with that weapon before you attack normally since "fights" is when you select the unit in the fight phase.

Units like Choppa Boyz or Chainsword marines that have no other attack it obviously doesnt impact, but units that have multiple weapons it does, such as Illuminator Szeras having a staff and clawed limbs and clawed limbs is not a multiplier, its "2 additional attacks" so it cant be considered a sweeping move option.

No, you don't need to.

If a rule says "When the bearer fights", not "When the bearer fights with this weapon", you get it regardless of what else you do, so you get your bonus Chainsword attacks even if you don't use it.

There used to be an FAQ about this in the CSM codex re: Chain Axe/Chainsword Berserkers but it seems to have vanished.

Thats what i thought.

A lot of units suddenly become laughably pathetic since they felt like they were priced expecting to get "free attacks" with some profiles, usually weaker ones. If thats how it worked that is.

I love it when people refuse to accept event-pointing rules as an "exception"

Fights is clearer defined in the Rules Terms Glossary as "when a unit fights, models in that unit pile in, make attacks, and consolidate". If the rule says "when the bearer fights" or similar wording there is no requirement to assign any of the models attacks with the weapon for the effect to take place. Otherwise, you have to use the weapon for its special rules to have any effect.