Help, Independent Character questions

[eclipse2kgt]

First off I've searched the forums and couldn't find an answer so, sorry if this has already been asked.

Secondly I don't use IC's so I don't know much about them.

First question.

If an IC is in a unit and he is the first model in the unit. (unit was going between a building and the edge of the map so they were in single file)

The IC was the only model in range of my attacks. I was told I could not shoot at him since he was an IC. I agreed and read the rule book later. It says that the IC is considered to be in the unit but since the IC can't be singled out I can't kill him. Now since he is the closest target and the only one in range what happens. I know its a long question but any help would be appreciated. ( I'm guessing I could still shoot and kill him since he is the only model in range)

Second

If an IC is in a unit that gets sweeping advanced but is not in base to base contact does the IC still die with the unit. (I would imagine so)

Third

This one is kind of similar to the first question. If an Independent character has joined a unit and is the only model I can see can he be killed

[Overread]

In the first case - your opponent was wrong. In the case that the IC is the only unit in a squade targetable then he can be targeted and he is the only one that can take the damage; just the same as normal units in a squad. And yes - he can be killed this way.
Infact a tactic (when you can guess ranges really well) is to move a shooter so that he is just withing range of an IC in a squad - thus the only available target - and thus easy to take out

[eclipse2kgt]

Thanks Overmind I was pretty sure he could have been killed. It turned out that his IC was carrying the Vortex Grenade which was why he was so persistent on not letting me shoot at him.

I will try and use that tactic thanks.

[krythron]

The IC is considered part of the unit, and cannot be singled out any more than "Random trooper Smith" can. however, he is still subject to all normal rules regarding casulties, range, and LOS.
For example-- if he was in the front of the squad, and only him and 2 others were in range, if the unit suffers 3 wounds, one would have to be assigned to him. (normal wound allocation rules). So if he is the ONLY model in range, he will suffer any wounds that are inflicted upon the unit. Same applies if he is the only model in the unit that is in Line of Sight from the firing unit. It's often called Line-of-sight sniping, and it's a great tactic for shooty armies.

Regarding the sweeping advance-- yes he is killed as well. He is part of the unit and is affected be anything that affects the unit.

[Hyper Kinetic]

Characters are part of the unit, so i am pretty sure that they will be taken down in a Sweeping Advance. They are part of the unit when Falling Back, and being Swept just means that you failed to fall back quick enough to escape the attackers.
If he is part of a unit and the only one able to be shot, he is a viable target.

[Hive Fleet Phantom]

Just read the rules for independent characters and what everyone has said is correct. An IC can only be shot at if he is the closes unit and not joined to another unit but if they have joined a unit they are considered part of that unit and would be subject to any rules that may apply to that unit.