Cover saves from intervening units

[lordbob]

I was giving the rulebook a once over, and I was reading about cover saves.

To get a cover save you need 25% to be blocked in order to get one, however the rules for getting cover saves for intervening units are slightly different, in that it states differently that you only need to be partially covered (not stating the 25%) but also that firing through intervening units the targetted unit can be completely out in the open and still get a cover save. Although the stipulation is that they actually actually be firing through the squad not over it, so just like 5th, you can't get the save if they are firing from the second floor of ruins or what not.

So even a tervigon can get a cover save from a gant squad?

[coredump]

Not quite. It says that intervening squads provide a cover save "Exactly like" terrain. Terrain requires 25% obscurement, thus.... the squads do also.

The only difference, is the space 'between' the models also counts for obscurement

[Squire]

It's my understanding that a model as big as a tervigon could only be covered by gargoyles or medium sized models (warriors, hive guard etc.) and above. I wouldn't try to claim a 5+ from gaunts on foot

As I see it, small models (gaunts, stealers) cover medium sized models, medium sized models (and gargoyles) cover monstrous creatures, and monstrous creatures (including spores) cover trygons/mawlocs.

[coredump]

Except that is not what the rules say. You need to look at the actual models and determine if there is 25% obscurement.

[Squire]

Dec 2, 2012 5:58:26 GMT coredump said:

Except that is not what the rules say. You need to look at the actual models and determine if there is 25% obscurement.

I meant in practice that is how it would usually work out if there are a few models in the right position

[lordbob]

It doesn't say "Exactly like terrain", however I will say yes it does actually need the 25% coverage.

However the rules do say quite specifically, firing between models doesn't require the model to be covered at all, just as long as you're firing through them, dumping the prerequisite for 25% coverage. Plus because you get cover as long as one model from the firing unit is granting that cover, so, as long as one model is getting line of sight of your MC through the intervening squad you get the cover save.

[drakiskier]

i do want to point out here that a ZOANTHROPE can give a CARNIFEX 25% cover now... one reason i love to walk my zoans infront of my fexes as they spit dakka death to anything within 18 inches with dual TL BLdevs

[coredump]

It says:
" in the same way as if it was behind terrain."

I should not have used quotes, my bad. Behind Terrain the "way" you get cover is if you are covered 25%, thus it is the "same" for intervening models.

Being "in cover" only means you are "partially hidden or obscured"; it does not automatically provide a cover save. To get a cover save, you need to be "at least 25% obscured". So yes, shooting through the gaps counts as being obscured, and if that covers 25% of the target model from at least one firing model... you also get a cover save.