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I took a brief hiatus during 2nd Edition and I am new to the 9th Edition. It appears the rules state that we are allowed to shoot with the heavy bolt pistol during the shooting phase even when engaged in melee, then allowed to perform 2 attacks with the chainsword during the melee phase, giving the marine essentially 3 attacks while in melee. Can anyone clarify this?

You may shoot your pistol in your shooting phase. You may swing your chainsword twice in the fight phase. I guess you could think of that as having three 'attacks' total during your turn, but the two phases are separate and it doesn't really make much sense to lump them together.

Pistol weapons can be fired in the shooting phase even when in engagement range. This is entirely separate from melee attacks.

Assault Intercessors can attack 3 times with their Astartes chainsword in melee. 2 Attacks on the profile and an additional attack from the chainsword’s special rules. A 4th attack is possible if you meet the requirements for “shock assault”.

Its common to have some confusion with pistols if you've not 0layed since 7e or earlier. In those editions, pistols could give you extra melee attacks.

In 8e and 9e, this is NOT the case. Instead, pistols are only used in the shooting phase, and do nothing in the fight phase. They can be shot while in melee range though, but still in the shooting phase.

Note that if you are charging you could have shot any weapon in range before you charged, so it being a pistol is no benefit. Its useful if you're still in melee by your next turn, or if you were charged and survive to your shooting phase.

Its also worth noting when calculating damage throughput that the pistol is only shooting in YOUR turn, whereas you melee attacks are happening in both your turn and your opponent's turn provided the combat is still happening.

Thank you all for such a quick reply! I'm new to the forum and, like I mentioned, haven't played since 2e, so everything is different. I appreciate the help - you all didn't disappoint. With the inclusion of strategems and getting back into the game in general, my brain is melting haha. Thanks again!

No problem!

Yes, its a heck of a lot to get your head around, and the way GW 'organise' the rules and the errata can be a huge obstacle at times!