Cover saves for Doom's Spirit Leech

[karkacabra]

I know it was FAQ'd that cover saves can be taken against the Doom of Malan'tai's Spirit Leech attack, but I've also read that because it's neither a psychic attack or a shooting attack, that he doesn't require LoS to models to wound them. So what's the case?

A) He actually does require LoS
B) He doesn't require LoS, but any model he can't see gets a cover save appropriate to the obstruction (5+ for terrain, 4+ for ruins, 3+ for fortifications)
C) He doesn't requires LoS, and models only get cover from Area Terrain (like the Hive Guard's Impaler Cannons)

Additionally, even though Spirit Leech isn't a shooting attack, can enemy units Go to Ground after wounds are rolled but before they're allocated?

Thanks!

[Raven]

I generally play it as (B) as a middle of the road approach. I'd say they can go to ground, as the GtG rules simply state that it is after the opponent rolls to wound and doesn't specify that it has to be against a shooting attack.

[milkybarnid]

I agree that B is the right way to play by though I do feel that C would better. (we will live)

PrinceRaven: Pg 18 Line 3 says "after to hit and to wound" and since you do not roll to hit or to wound for spirit leech, I would be arguing that you cannot use GtG against spirit leech. If the unit had already gone to ground for some reason, then yeah GtG applies. I do agree with the fact it doesn't have to be a shooting attack though

[Raven]

Hmm, that's a good point. I'll bring it up with my local gaming group and see what they say.

As far as cover saves go, RAW you wouldn't get cover saves at all if it weren't for that very arbitrary FAQ, since it isn't in fact a shooting attack. The problem now is the FAQ just says you can take cover saves, but not how you determine them (we run into the same problem when it comes to causing wounds, as the rules don't tell us how to allocate them) so the question of whether you get cover saves from LOS obscurement is a very definite "maybe". I play it as you can because I generally prefer the more conservative option in 50/50 rules ambiguity, that way when GW inevitably makes an FAQ ruling on the side of non-Tyranid players (which, let's be honest, is usually the case) I won't be disappointed.

[jaynecastl]

Spirit Leech can not grant a cover save as it is not a shooting attack. ... to the random number of wounds the Doom takes for using the ability, ...

[cibissum]

May 28, 2013 11:10:02 GMT @jaynecastl said:

Spirit Leech can not grant a cover save as it is not a shooting attack. ... to the random number of wounds the Doom takes for using the ability, ...

The FAQ says you can, which is why the thread was started. It's on the last page of the FAQ, in case you want to see for yourself but it really is nothing more than saying "yes, you get cover saves against Spirit Leech".

Edit:
Figures, the first post I see of this bot is actually somewhat related to the thread instead of the random posts that reveal his true colors...