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Ok, shield of faith rule reads as follows: Psychic powers targeted against any unit or caracter with the Adepta sororitas special rule, or including them in it's area of effect, are nullified and will not work on a d6 roll of 5+ (roll once, even if multiple units are affected)

Now, nid's hive mind powers reads as such: Only those powers which require a psychic test to use may be cancelled by ennemy psykers or wargear.

Now, the "small" warp blast doesn't need a Psychic test. If it is directed at sisters, can it be cancelled? After all, it's not a psyker or a wargear item that that would cancel it (by opposition to a Psychic hood, for example).

Thanks!

Phil

It doesn't say anything like "only powers that require a psykic test" at all. It simply says "any power targeting the unit". So yes, the weak warp blast would be nulified on a 5+. The Shield of Faith isn't a piece of wargear, its a special rule.

Furthermore, although they can cancel out warp blast (both versions) and psychic scream, they can't cancel synapse, catalyst, or the save upgrade, since those don't include the SoB in their areas of effect.

When it comes to Psychic Scream, the RAW simply don't work.

If Shield of Faith can nullify a Psychic Scream, what happens? Is it cancelled for the game? Does it come back at the start of the next turn?

There is no answer, by the RAW.


IMO (and the way I ruled in my FAQ), persistent psychic powers like Psychic Scream may never be fully cancelled or nullified.

So in this case I believe that GW simply skimped a bit on the Tyranid description of what things can't canel their psychic powers. It should include all special rules, not just "enemy psykers and wargear".

Posted By Tiderian on 03/04/2007 8:47 PM
Furthermore, although they can cancel out warp blast (both versions) and psychic scream, they can't cancel synapse, catalyst, or the save upgrade, since those don't include the SoB in their areas of effect.

Correct. That follows RAW based on the "that targets the unit" portion. Area affects don't specifically target them.

See, this is where I disagree. I think it does work as RAW based on the way Shield of Faith is written.  The requirement to be specifically targeted would mean that powers like Synapse, Psychic Scream, etc, would not be affected. However, the ones that do specifically target them would have a chance to be cancelled. Also note, this also means that if the Weak Warp Blast is used on a non-adeptus sororitas unit, then they can not cancel it since it is not specifically targetting them. I think they left out special rules intentionally so that there was that option.

Posted By Angelus Mortis on 03/05/2007 2:41 AM

See, this is where I disagree. I think it does work as RAW based on the way Shield of Faith is written.  The requirement to be specifically targeted would mean that powers like Synapse, Psychic Scream, etc, would not be affected. However, the ones that do specifically target them would have a chance to be cancelled. Also note, this also means that if the Weak Warp Blast is used on a non-adeptus sororitas unit, then they can not cancel it since it is not specifically targetting them. I think they left out special rules intentionally so that there was that option.

Shield of Faith doesn't rest on "targeted" units. It also encompases any powers that includes them in their "area of effect".

How is a unit within 18" of a model with psychic scream not in the "area of effect"? Clearly the unit is suffering from the power.


The rules are ambiguous and unplayable. Even though the Tyranid powers have that little blurb, Eldar persistent powers (like Veil of Tears) don't.

Simply put, GW has dropped the ball on the issue of persistent powers vs. abilities that fully nullify or cancel powers and they need to come out with a blanket statement either saying that persistent powers cannot be cancelled, or they can but they restart at a certain point (like at the end of the phase, or at the beginning of the next turn, etc).

Shield of Faith doesn't rest on "targeted" units. It also encompases any powers that includes them in their "area of effect".

Ahh, I see. I overlooked that line. After I re-read it I see what your saying now. Point taken.