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Here is the text of interceptor

At the end of the enemy Movement phase, a weapon with the Interceptor special rule can be fired at any one unit that has arrived from reserve within its range and line of sight. If this rule is used, the weapon cannot be fired in the next turn, but the firing model can shoot a different weapon if it has one.

So lets say you have a unit of crisis suits (or sabre platforms, whatever), each model having Interceptor.

Do they have to target the same unit coming in from reserve?

There is nothing in the Interceptor rule that dictates targeting as far as a unit of models is concerned and since it occurs out of phase and with very specific wording it makes me think each model could potentially choose their own targets (even though this goes against the regular shooting mechanics). If there's wording elsewhere in the rules or precedent I am not aware of, please do share.

EDIT: reworded the title as this has nothing to do with drop pods and other stuff hashed out ad naseum.

also could a model with two interceptor weapons target two units? the interceptor rule only mentions single weapons and doesn't even reference the shooting phase as a way to work out the shot (unlike overwatch for example)

@boy wonder: I don't think you mean a model with two interceptor weapons. I think you mean a unit with two. Very different things.

@winterman: I don't have the new Tau codex. So the question is whether or not crisis suits or sabre platforms have the Split Fire rule, or something similar. If they do, then you are good to go as the Interceptor special rule states "weapon". If they don't, then no.

The Interceptor USR says, "A weapon with the Interceptor special rule can be fired at any one unit...." This does not seem to abide by all the normal firing restrictions.

If two Broadsides both have Interceptor on their Rail Guns, then each of those guns may be fired at one unit. There is no provision in the Interceptor rule that states each gun's target must be the same unit.

I feel like I'm wrong here, though...someone use some rules to prove it so!

If there is nothing in the rules allowing a unit to fire at seperate targets then no.
While its outside the shooting phase, it is a shooting attack and abides by the normal restrictions, except for what the USR specifies. The USR does not specify models in a unit can target seperate units, which is the important part.

 Nem wrote:
If there is nothing in the rules allowing a unit to fire at seperate targets then no.
While its outside the shooting phase, it is a shooting attack and abides by the normal restrictions, except for what the USR specifies. The USR does not specify models in a unit can target seperate units, which is the important part.

I disagree, the wording only mentions the weapon can be fired at an arriving unit..that is the ONLY rule you are given (note that there is no mention of the firing unit/model at all).

furthermore the way it is written implies that my broadsides HYMP can shoot at one arriving unit and the same broadsides SMS can fire at a different arriving unit.

 boy wonder wrote:
note that there is no mention of the firing unit/model at all

Then what Balistic Skill will you use to fire the weapon, if the model plays no part in it's shooting?
You're trying to fire a weapon, so you need to use all the relevent rules for firing weapons. Otherwise it simply doesn't work...
So the Model will have to fire the weapon (or you'll have no BS with which to shoot it) and as such will have to follow the ristrictions the model has for shooting. That will include no Split Fire unless it has a rule allowing it, and no targeting 2 different targets.

 grendel083 wrote:

 boy wonder wrote:
note that there is no mention of the firing unit/model at all

Then what Balistic Skill will you use to fire the weapon, if the model plays no part in it's shooting?
You're trying to fire a weapon, so you need to use all the relevent rules for firing weapons. Otherwise it simply doesn't work...
So the Model will have to fire the weapon (or you'll have no BS with which to shoot it) and as such will have to follow the ristrictions the model has for shooting. That will include no Split Fire unless it has a rule allowing it, and no targeting 2 different targets.

I agree that you must use the shooting rules. however the interceptor rule as written treats ONLY the weapon. so following the rule:

choose a WEAPON with interceptor

choose a unit arriving from reserves in range and los

fire upon unit.

repeat for each WEAPON with interceptor.

am I saying this is how its intended? no. but this is how its written.

You can easily read the specific targeting information given in the Interceptor rule as overriding the general targeting procedure. I have specific permission to target this weapon at any one unit within range and LoS that arrived this turn - and specific permission to do the same with another weapon on another model in the same unit. You're telling me that the general rule overrides this more specific rule.

P.S.: Doing some Devil's Advocate, here. I wouldn't try this in-game, and I doubt GW would FAQ it that way. I'm just saying that I don't think it's nearly as cut and dried as the other posters are claiming.

 boy wonder wrote:

 grendel083 wrote:

 boy wonder wrote:
note that there is no mention of the firing unit/model at all

Then what Balistic Skill will you use to fire the weapon, if the model plays no part in it's shooting?
You're trying to fire a weapon, so you need to use all the relevent rules for firing weapons. Otherwise it simply doesn't work...
So the Model will have to fire the weapon (or you'll have no BS with which to shoot it) and as such will have to follow the ristrictions the model has for shooting. That will include no Split Fire unless it has a rule allowing it, and no targeting 2 different targets.

I agree that you must use the shooting rules. however the interceptor rule as written treats ONLY the weapon. so following the rule:

choose a WEAPON with interceptor

choose a unit arriving from reserves in range and los

fire upon unit.

repeat for each WEAPON with interceptor.

am I saying this is how its intended? no. but this is how its written.

How do you fire the Weapon without the model using it? What BS do you use?
If you are using the model to fire the weapon, what is allowing you to ignore that models firing restrictions?
As it stands you're trying to cherry-pick the rule, use the model to fire the weapon (and use it's BS) but then ignore everything else.

 grendel083 wrote:
If you are using the model to fire the weapon, what is allowing you to ignore that models firing restrictions?

The more specific instructions given by the interceptor rule. Really, you're coming across not as challenging his argument, but as missing it altogether.

Just take target locks to be on the safe side.

Pyrian wrote:

 grendel083 wrote:
If you are using the model to fire the weapon, what is allowing you to ignore that models firing restrictions?

The more specific instructions given by the interceptor rule. Really, you're coming across not as challenging his argument, but as missing it altogether.

Just saying something is more specific doesn't make it right. You need to be able to back it up.
And there is no specific instruction to cherry-pick the firing rules.
Where does it specifically say to ignore firing restrictions?
Nothing in the Interceptor rules says use the model to fire the weapon, but ignore every other rule.

 grendel083 wrote:
Just saying something is more specific doesn't make it right.

Yes it does. The more specific rule overrides the general rule. Special rules break main game rules. The entire ruleset will fall apart without this principle.

 grendel083 wrote:
And there is no specific instruction to cherry-pick the firing rules.

OP's interpretation is straight up following the interceptor rule. Your interpretation contradicts that rule. You're mixing incompatible rules.

 grendel083 wrote:
Where does it specifically say to ignore firing restrictions?

"...any one unit that has arrived from reserve within its range and line of sight." Your interpretation contradicts that phrase, specifically the "any" part.

 grendel083 wrote:
Nothing in the Interceptor rules says use the model to fire the weapon, but ignore every other rule.

There's no ignoring rules. There's two rules that contradict each other. In the standard procedure for resolving contradictory rules, the specific special rule breaks the general rule. And yes, that's a rule - page 32, left column, second paragraph, first sentence.

The rules don't contradict each other, Interceptor gives additional specific permission to fire out of phase, without otherwise overruling the normal shooting rules.

 grrrfranky wrote:
The rules don't contradict each other, Interceptor gives additional specific permission to fire out of phase, without otherwise overruling the normal shooting rules.

Boom! Headshot.

Pyrian - where does it *specifically* state that one model from a unti can shoot at a different target than the rest of the units firing?

"Any unit" does not specifically ovderride the shooting requirement that all models from one unit shoot at the same target, barring a special specific rule otherwise

Pyrian wrote:

 grendel083 wrote:
Just saying something is more specific doesn't make it right.

Yes it does. The more specific rule overrides the general rule. Special rules break main game rules. The entire ruleset will fall apart without this principle.

You Misunderstood me. I agree Specific overrides General. What I'm asking is to prove this applies here, not just say it does without backing it up. The Interceptor rule says absolutely nothing about not following normal shooting restrictions, so it is not more specific than the core rules. If it said "this ignores all the model's firing restrictions" I'd agree with you. You'll notice it doesn't. No permission has been given to ignore normal shooting restrictions, feel free to try and prove otherwise.

 grendel083 wrote:
And there is no specific instruction to cherry-pick the firing rules.

OP's interpretation is straight up following the interceptor rule. Your interpretation contradicts that rule. You're mixing incompatible rules.

Actually I'm suggesting you follow the rules. Nothing I've suggested contradicts them. I'm saying use normal firing restrictions, the Interceptor rule says nothing about ignoring them. See? No contradiction.

 grendel083 wrote:
Where does it specifically say to ignore firing restrictions?

"...any one unit that has arrived from reserve within its range and line of sight." Your interpretation contradicts that phrase, specifically the "any" part.

Not at all. If a hundred valid Interceptor targets arrive from reserve, you can shoot any one of them. My interpretation satisfies both Interceptor and shooting rules. Still no contradiction.

 grendel083 wrote:
Nothing in the Interceptor rules says use the model to fire the weapon, but ignore every other rule.

There's no ignoring rules. There's two rules that contradict each other. In the standard procedure for resolving contradictory rules, the specific special rule breaks the general rule. And yes, that's a rule - page 32, left column, second paragraph, first sentence.

I understand where you guys are coming from but I think RAW you can fire upon multiple targets from the same unit/model.

in the overwatch phase (the only other shooting out of sequence I can recall) you are SPECIFICALLY told to follow the shooting phase rules... why is that not said in the interceptor rule?

is it a bit odd? yes. but following the rules follows the steps I laid out earlier.

 boy wonder wrote:
I understand where you guys are coming from but I think RAW you can fire upon multiple targets from the same unit/model.

in the overwatch phase (the only other shooting out of sequence I can recall) you are SPECIFICALLY told to follow the shooting phase rules... why is that not said in the interceptor rule?

is it a bit odd? yes. but following the rules follows the steps I laid out earlier.

You're told to fire a weapon. How do you do that without following the rules for shooting?
You really need Specific Permission to ignore these basic rules. Look at other rules that allow you to ignore a shooting or targeting restriction as examples. In every case they clearly say something like "This lets you ignore..."
Compare these and you'll see there is no such exception in the Interceptor rule.

I think you misunderstand me.

yes you follow the rules for shooting... but you do this for each WEAPON separately. so pick a WEAPON follow the shooting steps for that WEAPON. now pick another WEAPON and do the same. each weapon may fire at ANY one unit arriving.

there is no other way to take this RAW

RAI is different and people will fall on both sides of the fence.

 boy wonder wrote:
I think you misunderstand me.

yes you follow the rules for shooting... but you do this for each WEAPON separately. so pick a WEAPON follow the shooting steps for that WEAPON. now pick another WEAPON and do the same. each weapon may fire at ANY one unit arriving.

there is no other way to take this RAW

RAI is different and people will fall on both sides of the fence.

Ok if the weapon is firing, and not the model carrying it, what BS do you use?

every shooting attack is the weapon firing.. models don't have stats for shots.

the interceptor rule allows you to fire each of your weapons individually.

 boy wonder wrote:
every shooting attack is the weapon firing.. models don't have stats for shots.

So how do you roll to hit? Your weapon has no BS.
A weapon cannot fire by itself (not without a special rule anyway, see "Automated Fire" as an example), so the model must fire the weapon. You also must use the shooting rules, otherwise you can't shoot.
And nothing in the Interceptor rules says to ignore a models targeting/firing restrictions. Nothing.

the interceptor rule allows you to fire each of your weapons individually.

Not quite what it says. And there's no mention of firing on separate targets.

 grendel083 wrote:

 boy wonder wrote:
every shooting attack is the weapon firing.. models don't have stats for shots.

So how do you roll to hit? Your weapon has no BS.
A weapon cannot fire by itself (not without a special rule anyway, see "Automated Fire" as an example), so the model must fire the weapon. You also must use the shooting rules, otherwise you can't shoot.
And nothing in the Interceptor rules says to ignore a models targeting/firing restrictions. Nothing.

the interceptor rule allows you to fire each of your weapons individually.

Not quite what it says. And there's no mention of firing on separate targets.

SHOOTING PHASE pg13:

some WEAPONS are capable of firing more than once

so these weapons cant ever fire? they don't have a bs.

I know what im saying is taking it to the extreme but read and re read the interceptor rule... it tells you EXACTLY what to do.. pick a weapon fire at ANY arriving unit. repeat for each WEAPON with the rule.

Permissive ruleset. Dont assume just because it doesnt say it follows the exact rules for all other shooting attacks doesnt mean its unique. This is where massive amounts of RAW bullcrap come from, theres a basic rule and a subrule that doesnt directly say it still follows the basic rule so everyone thinks it doesnt.

On the same subject though, i had a thought.

Tau suits have Multi-trackers built in so they can fire two guns "in the shooting phase" by default now. In the Intercept stage, however, they are limited to 1 gun. Say:

3 Missilesides w/ 6 Missile drones. The Missilesides have Intercepter and a droppod shows up.
Each Missileside fires their SMS since neither punches marine armor and still has good odds to wound. Their HYMP and the Missile Drones are not used.
In the following shooting phase for this unit, are all of the models locked at shooting at the same unit of marines whether they finished it off or not or can they choose another target with remaining weapons/units that didnt have interceptor?

 boy wonder wrote:
SHOOTING PHASE pg13:

some WEAPONS are capable of firing more than once

so these weapons cant ever fire? they don't have a bs.

I know what im saying is taking it to the extreme but read and re read the interceptor rule... it tells you EXACTLY what to do.. pick a weapon fire at ANY arriving unit. repeat for each WEAPON with the rule.

You're reinforcing the point I'm making. Models have to fire weapons, because weapons don't have a BS.
The model is shooting, and using the rules for shooting. All rules must be satisfied. Your interpretation breaks many shooting rules.

Can a unit assault out of an open topped vehicle that has arrived from reserve?
The open-topped rules by themselves would indicate yes, just as the Interceptor rules indicate you can split fire.
However the reserve rules must be obeyed, just as the shooting rules must be obeyed.
Zagstruck has a Specific rule allowing him to ignore the reserve restriction, no such allowance is in the Interceptor rule.