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If an ability (either activated or passive) affects models within X" does it also affect the unit with the ability?

A strict mathematical approach would say yes, but are there situations where that interpretation would clearly break the rules (or where saying a model is not affected by it's own power would break things)?

Unless it says "other models within X inches" it should count itself. Because 0 inches is still within 6 inches, 3 inches, an inch, etc.

Tricky one to be sure. Tools of War say distances are measured "between the closest points of the models or units you’re measuring to and from."

For abilities:

1. Nominate a model/unit with an ability
2. Measure the distance between this and the target unit
3. Apply the ability

Now, since the distance rule actually says "models", plural, you could argue that what they wrote is what they mean. On that basis, you can't measure the distance between a unit and itself, so applying the ability falls over at step 2 because you can't complete it.

This is different to having another unit that actually touches, or even overlaps, the unit/model with the ability. In this case, the distance is defined, so step 3 is OK.

Please note, I'm not even sure I believe this line of reasoning myself, but it seems to be consistent with the way the rules are written. The question is what would break? Wizards can't Mystic Shield themselves. Presumably tons of other abilities/spells couldn't be used by the unit triggering/casting it.

Working as intended?

 timetowaste85 wrote:
Unless it says "other models within X inches" it should count itself. Because 0 inches is still within 6 inches, 3 inches, an inch, etc.

If you take this interpretation though, you've got to apply it also to negative effects. Say a unit gets the abiltity 'poison gas vents' (some Skaven plague thingie) that affects all models within 6" in some way (wounds, minus to hit etc). The specifics aren't important. But it should be consistent, whichever way you go about it. Reading up on various rules of such a type might provide some insight but it's just as likely not well thought through.

While it's a different game system, Warmachine explicitly states that said models are not the within X of themselves. Again different system but the particular bit was put in for exactly this question. Which isn't to say that's what GW mean, only that at least one game designer has gone the other way and we should be wary of assumptions.

Just going through some warscrolls to find anything that helps/hinders. Here's on from the skaven:

Gouge-tear their Eyes!: If a Verminlord
Corruptor uses this ability, select this
model or one Skaven unit within 18".
Until your next hero phase, when that unit
is selected to attack in the combat phase,
you can add 1 to the attacks characteristic
of all its melee weapons.

Sort of suggests that if the default position of a command ability is to include the unit itself as a target, then there would be no need to say "this model or....".

And another one:

Cornered Rats: Roll a dice each time a
Skavenslave flees, before it is removed from
the battlefield. On a roll of a 6 the nearest
unit within 6" (friend or foe) suffers 1
mortal wound as the terrified Skavenslave
bites and claws manically to get away.
Remove the Skavenslave if you rolled 5 or
less, or after it has inflicted a mortal wound
in its escape.

This is just an ability for Skavenslaves. If the skavenslave unit was a candidate it would always receive the mortal wound. It seems pretty clear it is supposed to be another unit that suffers.

High Elf Mage:

Shield of Sa phery
The Mage weaves a dome of magical
energy around himself and his allies.
Shield of Saphery has a casting value of 6.
If successfully cast, until your next hero
phase, you can roll a dice each time the
High Elf Mage, or a model in your army
within 18" of him, suffers a wound or
a mortal wound. On the roll of a 6 that
hit is deflected by the magical barrier
surrounding the Mage and is ignored.

Specifically includes the HE mage as a beneficiary.

Personally, I'm seeing enough here to say that "within X"" does not include the model itself, but keen to see counterexamples that cause it to break.