Vector Strike requires LOS?

[tag8833]

I ran into a rule in my recent game where reason and logic conflicted with RAW and possibly RAI.

I was running 4 FMC's with Vector strike being a key component of my strategy. My opponent realized this, and took to hiding his units on the lower floor of ruins where they were not in LOS from the air. We decided that this made them immune from vector striking. However, today when I read the rule, it doesn't seem to me that, that would be the case. Vector strike has no restriction for LOS or floor level in terrain. I couldn't vector strike a unit that was embarked in a building, but a unit on the lower level of ruins appears to be fair game. Since the outcome of this game was dependent on this rules interpretation, and I am sure it will come up in the future. Is there anyone that can shed some guidance on this rule, so that I don't feel like a rules lawyer every time I want to play it RAW?

Here is the exact text of the Vector strike rule based on the BRB 1.5 Errata:

When Swooping, this model may savage its prey. At the end of the Movement Phase, nominate one unengaged enemy unit the model has moved over that turn. This unit may even be an enemy Flyer. That unit takes D3+1 hits, resolved at the model’s unmodified Strength and AP3, using Random Allocation. Against vehicles, these hits are resolved against the target’s side armour. No cover saves are allowed against these hits

A model that made a Vector Strike in its Movement phase counts as having already fired one weapon in its following Shooting phase. However, an) additional weapons it fires that turn can choose a different target to that of the
Vector Strike.

[tylertt]

No LOS is required so long as you fly over top of the targets base. So long as you go over top of them, LOS or not, your good.

[gigasnail]

you can do a fly over and end up off the board and still VS a unit.

[tag8833]

What if I don't have LOS at the point when my base is over top of the base of the unit being vector struck? For instance, he is on the lower level of terrain.

[gigasnail]

doesn't matter. check the rule. did you fulfill the conditions of the rule? that's really pretty much it.

[revx]

Mar 10, 2014 21:36:02 GMT tag8833 said:

Here is the exact text of the Vector strike rule based on the BRB 1.5 Errata:

When Swooping, this model may savage its prey. At the end of the Movement Phase, nominate one unengaged enemy unit the model has moved over that turn. This unit may even be an enemy Flyer. That unit takes D3+1 hits, resolved at the model’s unmodified Strength and AP3, using Random Allocation. Against vehicles, these hits are resolved against the target’s side armour. No cover saves are allowed against these hits

A model that made a Vector Strike in its Movement phase counts as having already fired one weapon in its following Shooting phase. However, an) additional weapons it fires that turn can choose a different target to that of the
Vector Strike.

is your unit swooping or zooming - yes next question - no stop here
is it the end of the movement phase - yes next question - no stop here
did you move over the unit - yes next question - no stop here
is unit unengaged - yes savage prey - no stop here

[tag8833]

Mar 10, 2014 23:26:13 GMT revx said:

Mar 10, 2014 21:36:02 GMT tag8833 said:

Here is the exact text of the Vector strike rule based on the BRB 1.5 Errata:

is your unit swooping or zooming - yes next question - no stop here
is it the end of the movement phase - yes next question - no stop here
did you move over the unit - yes next question - no stop here
is unit unengaged - yes savage prey - no stop here

That is what I had concluded, but common sense told me I might have missed something. Thanks.

[gigasnail]

needing LoS is pretty much a shooting attack thing. VS is not a shooting attack, though yes you do count as having fired a weapon. i know, it's 40k. don't ask me how they come up with these things.

[gman25639]

Does VS ignore cover? If not, then he can still get a cover save against it by beign in the ruin.

[FTGT-BeeCee]

Vector Strike does indeed ignore cover.

[coredump]

BRB FAQ errata

[revx]

Mar 11, 2014 0:57:05 GMT tag8833 said:

Mar 10, 2014 23:26:13 GMT revx said:

is your unit swooping or zooming - yes next question - no stop here
is it the end of the movement phase - yes next question - no stop here
did you move over the unit - yes next question - no stop here
is unit unengaged - yes savage prey - no stop here

That is what I had concluded, but common sense told me I might have missed something. Thanks.

no you didnt miss anything. if you want "forge a narrative" for your opponent. VS is actually a melee type attack where your model is using its claws and tail. he was in ruins which means its missing walls, parts of roofs, windows, ect... the crone doesnt need LoS because he can whip his tail through open walls, windows, roof openings, ect... =)

[bolk]

Mar 11, 2014 5:40:53 GMT FTGT-BeeCee said:

Vector Strike does indeed ignore cover.

Which makes it awesome to use against skimmers, jet bikes and bikes

[tyryt]

Or if you are forging a narrative, you knockd down masonry/ruins/bits of machinery on top of those guys hiding in an unstable ruin... Lets face it, vehicles and troops can move through solid walls of ruins, they aren't going to stop a FMC doing what it wants.