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In the rulebook you can read about defence lines that "a model in cover behind a defence line has a 4+ cover save". What does this mean? Does the model have to be in base contact with, say an Aegis Defence line, or how close does it have to be?
And for a Tidewall shieldline (a defence line that you actually can stand on), does the model have to be on it, or can it stand behind and get the save?

The definition of "in cover behind" is part of the second paragraph of the Terrain Types rules, on page 108.

"In cover behind" means it is at least 25% obscured by that terrain piece. For example, with a Aegis, if the firing model is on the opposite side of the barricade, the model being attacked will normally get a save (exceptions for very large or tall models). But if both models were on the same side of the line, the model being attacked wouldn't gain the cover save, even if they were in base contact with the Aegis.

Not 100% sure on the Tidewall, as I don't have those rules to hand.

The Tidewall is subject to the very same terrain type rule as the aegis defence line.

So according to what you say a model can be quite far off from the defence line and still get a 4+ cover save instead of a normal terrain 5+ (and +2 go to ground) as long as it is at least 25% obscured by it?

mattswe wrote:
The Tidewall is subject to the very same terrain type rule as the aegis defence line.

So according to what you say a model can be quite far off from the defence line and still get a 4+ cover save instead of a normal terrain 5+ (and +2 go to ground) as long as it is at least 25% obscured by it?

This is technically correct.

1. If the wall is inbetween both units then its 4+ save for both.
2. Your unit is at the wall within 2" (I use old 5th edition rule for this), then you can see over it. My unit counts what ever terrain its in, your unit is in 4+ cover.
3 With a tide wall if a unit is behind it then you have to see how high the barrier is, it probs will block line of sight.

licclerich wrote:
1. If the wall is inbetween both units then its 4+ save for both.
2. Your unit is at the wall within 2" (I use old 5th edition rule for this), then you can see over it. My unit counts what ever terrain its in, your unit is in 4+ cover.
3 With a tide wall if a unit is behind it then you have to see how high the barrier is, it probs will block line of sight.

Just note that 1 and 2 are house rules.

Going just by the rules of the rulebook, you look at the target model from the perspective of any part of the shooting model's body. If the target is more than 25% obscured, it gets the save.

This means there can be some situations where the terrain is a fair distance away from both units and might still provide cover. Or the target unit could be close to the terrain but the shooting unit is on such an elevation that they can see more than 75% of the target, so no cover.

 Cheexsta wrote:
This means there can be some situations where the terrain is a fair distance away from both units and might still provide cover. Or the target unit could be close to the terrain but the shooting unit is on such an elevation that they can see more than 75% of the target, so no cover.

Or, technically, since the LOS is now any part to any part, The top of a model's head might negate cover save while any lower bit would grant one.