I know that you cannot use a TL acquired by FCS to modify dice in the same attack the TL was acquired. However, because Gunner / Luke counts as a new attack, you may use a TL acquired after the failed attack that triggered Gunner / Luke (this is all very clear in the FAQ).

What is less clear is if that TL is used during the Gunner / Luke attack, does FCS allow you to reacquire?

Really, this is a question about the precise order of events. Here is what I think: 1.) attack dice are rolled, 2.) attack dice are modified if able, then 3.) FCS triggers allowing a TL to be acquired on the defender. This is why it cannot be used to modify the initial attack, it is acquired after the attacker’s opportunity to modify dice – and this would mean FCS would allow you to reacquire anytime a TL is used.

Am I wrong?

Yes, you reacquire a TL on that second attack.

FFG put it in the FAQ.

What is less clear is if that TL is used during the Gunner / Luke attack, does FCS allow you to reacquire?

Really, this is a question about the precise order of events. Here is what I think: 1.) attack dice are rolled, 2.) attack dice are modified if able, then 3.) FCS triggers allowing a TL to be acquired on the defender.

You have it mostly right, except that dice results are compared and canceled, and damage dealt, before FCS is triggered. So if I have TL before an attack, I can spend it on the attack and then reacquire it with FCS.

The FAQ states, “If a ship equipped with Fire-Control System attacks more than once in a round, it may acquire a target lock after each attack.” I just wanted to ensure that the first TL is spent before the opportunity to acquire the second, otherwise you would still have the original TL and be unable to acquire the replacement TL… if any of that makes sense…

If you're firing at the same target a second time, you can either keep the TL or spend it and acquire a new one. Either way you still have a TL on the opposing ship. If you choose to attack a different ship with Gunner/Luke, you can either keep your old TL on the first ship (FCS says "may"), or acquire a different one on the second target.

If you're firing at the same target a second time, you can either keep the TL or spend it and acquire a new one. Either way you still have a TL on the opposing ship. If you choose to attack a different ship with Gunner/Luke, you can either keep your old TL on the first ship (FCS says "may"), or acquire a different one on the second target.

Just so I clarify how I understand this scenario to work, because I think you're a bit mistaken:

1) You target lock Ship A

2) You attack Ship A and do not spend your target lock

3) You miss

4) Gunner activates and you choose to attack Ship B

5) You cannot use FCS to shift your existing target lock from Ship A to Ship B, because Ship B was never declared as a defender in your first attack

I didn't say you shift your existing TL onto the second ship, I said you acquire a new one. FCS procs after every attack, so you could either keep your previous TL from the first target, or acquire a new one on the second.

If you're firing at the same target a second time, you can either keep the TL or spend it and acquire a new one. Either way you still have a TL on the opposing ship. If you choose to attack a different ship with Gunner/Luke, you can either keep your old TL on the first ship (FCS says "may"), or acquire a different one on the second target.

Just so I clarify how I understand this scenario to work, because I think you're a bit mistaken:

1) You target lock Ship A

2) You attack Ship A and do not spend your target lock

3) You miss

4) Gunner activates and you choose to attack Ship B

5) You cannot use FCS to shift your existing target lock from Ship A to Ship B, because Ship B was never declared as a defender in your first attack

Gunner is a completely different attack. The target of your first attack is irrelevant. After the second attack you could acquire a TL on ship B. You could not use your TL on A for the second attack, but there is nothing preventing acquiring a new lock on B after the second.

Okay, we're on the same page here. I though you were implying that you could use FCS's ability to let you target lock onto Ship B *before* processing the attack on Ship B given to you by Gunner. I agree that after executing Gunner's attack on Ship B you have the option to switch the TL or leave it with A.

My steps above should really have been in 1-2-3-5-4 order, I didn't do a good job of explaining my thought process at all.

No no. The FCS TL happens after the attack, so cannot be used during.