DS distance and terrain

[superwill]

Hey guys,

 

Feels like one I should really know because it's relevant in just about every game, but I just hear so many mixed reports.

 

The standard 9" away DS deployment, how does this work when there are units in ruins for example?

 

Lets say there's a unit of Eliminators in the second storey of a ruin. I want to drop some Terminators 9" away and charge. Do I:

 

A) Measure the 9" distance horizontally and place them there, meaning they would now need to move 9" + 3" + 3" (for two storeys) to charge? i.e. a 15" charge?

B) Measure down two storeys (6") and then only move away 3" horizontally? (meaning a unit like Reivers who ignore vertical distance could have a 3" charge?)
C) Measure true distance diagonally, again meaning that terminators would probably have an impossible charge and Reivers (and maybe some Fly units) have a less than 9" charge.

D) just put them roughly 9" away and agree regardless of whether they're flying or not that 9" will get them in combat.

 

I'm assuming that it's A and that's how we tend to play it, but it does seem to mean that even if you are only up 1 storey off the ground you need a charge result of 12 to have a chance to get in. And if you can get a unit up to the second storey (or higher) it's almost impossible unless you're versing something weird like Reivers.

 

FWIW, I play ITC.

 

Thanks! :)

[Panzer]

You measure the real distance. Aka diagonally. Aka answer C is correct.

 

To your Reivers and FLY units comment: That's how it used to be before GW fixed it via Errata. Now those units can't just ignore terrain during the charge move anymore.

[Tyriks]

As Panzer says, measure true distance, base to base.  Unlike point C though this doesn't mean Fly and Reivers have a less than 9" charge, because they are still over 9" away.  You still have to move the 9" distance, those units just get to move in a straight line instead of moving over first and then up.  

[superwill]

Okay cool, thanks. I did see the FAQ stuff but was still a little unclear.

But so, just to confirm. If it's 9" diagonal distance, and the unit is on the second storey (6" up), that means that the horizontal distance is 6.7" (trigonometry yo).

Meaning that a unit can probably charge because the enemy model is within 12", but seeing as they'd need to move 12.7" to be in base contact, they'd need to roll a 12 to make the charge.

Is that right? If so, ruins FTW.

Also, I think that if I'm reading the Fly/Reiver FAQ it wouldn't shorten this at all, as it just talks about ignoring vertical distance in the move phase, or ignoring intervening models but not terrain. So even a unit with jump packs or something is still going to need to roll a 12?

Edited February 27, 2020 by superwill

[Panzer]

As Panzer says, measure true distance, base to base.  Unlike point C though this doesn't mean Fly and Reivers have a less than 9" charge, because they are still over 9" away.  You still have to move the 9" distance, those units just get to move in a straight line instead of moving over first and then up.  

 

Not quite right.

Units with FLY and similar don't get any benefits during the charge phase anymore aside of being able to jump over models (and Reivers don't even get that because they don't get the FLY keyword). They have to move like every other unit. So if they are on top of a ruin, down and then to the opponent or if the opponent is on top of a ruin, to the ruin and then up to the opponent.

 

So yeah, if you drop on a ruin, measure 9" true distance which usually means you have a longer than 9" charge distance.

Also, I think that if I'm reading the Fly/Reiver FAQ it wouldn't shorten this at all, as it just talks about ignoring vertical distance in the move phase, or ignoring intervening models but not terrain. So even a unit with jump packs or something is still going to need to roll a 12?

 

That's correct.

[Tyriks]

Whoops, you are correct.

[War Angel]

Any chance on getting sources for these rules?

[Panzer]

Any chance on getting sources for these rules?

 

The rulebook and the according FAQ.