Can I guestimate range with my hands on the table? I know using range rulers is out, but can I use my hands and fingers on the table to guess range?

Casually, do whatever you like.

In a tournament - no. You're attempting to premeasure, even though it won't be reliable.

It is not legal to premeasure in a tournament. Please don't do it.

I have wondered if I'm breaking etiquette by holding fingers up near my face to estimate numbers of base lengths. I'd appreciate some comment from those with premiere tournament experience.

I played in one tournament where my opponent was trying to make it look like he was "considering" his move, but was measuring with the width of his four fingers before he moved or took actions.

I played in one tournament where my opponent was trying to make it look like he was "considering" his move, but was measuring with the width of his four fingers before he moved or took actions.

I played in one tournament where my opponent was trying to make it look like he was "considering" his move, but was measuring with the width of his four fingers before he moved or took actions.

is this legal though?

Nope. The rules say you have to estimate the movement in your head. Not with your hands lol.

I recommend practicing so you don't have to do this. It isn't legal as others have also noted, but it will also probably telegraph what you are thinking - making it easier to counter and win.

Each ship has templates that are in it's most used category. Prior to competitive play, lay them out in front of your ship and memorize where they place you. For example, turns will place you slightly past your arc line, but banks keep you within your firing arc. Straights are just multiples of your small base, and a 5 straight is equal to 2 on the attack range ruler. You'll soon be able to pretty acurately eyeball where you'll end a move, and likely how far you'll be from your opponent.

Can I guestimate range with my hands on the table? I know using range rulers is out, but can I use my hands and fingers on the table to guess range?

Know or know not, there is no guessing.

When it comes to measuring some people get cross with you just for looking at things cross-eyed.

what about boost actions? can you measure that to see if you can do it?

In a tournament, you can measure to see if you can fit, but if you can fit you are then committed to the boost.

So, pre-measuring is out but what about target locks?

Do I have to declare a target or can I check which models are in range and then choose?

Also, if I find that a ship is in range can I change my mind and choose another action?

I had a player pull this the other night. I was sure he was wrong but cba to spend all night arguing so let him do it.

Target locks (and lots of other premeasuring related topics) are the main differences between the competitive rules and the normal rules. The FAQ details the differences, you should check it out.

Short version for target lock: normal rules allow you to check 360 degrees around your ship and then pick a target. Competitive rules require you to declare a target and then measure to that target and only that target. If the chosen target is in range, you are then committed to the action and must target lock them.

So basically we were both right but playing to different rules. Perils of playing a pick-up game

If it was a pick up game and you didn't agree otherwise you should play by the normal rules.

So used to playing tourney rules, I do it out of habit now. A habit I need to get out of obviously.

Or just buy the Range rulers with the "Range Aids" on them as everyone seemingly loves those and no one will ever question you leaving them on the table etc.

Another pre-measure I've seen used in a tournament occured when it was *obvious* that there was no possible way that anyone was in range for anything, but the player pulled out the range ruler and "checked for target lock" to see how far everything was from his ships.

If, by any means, you are using something (including your hands) to estimate distance, that's premeasuring. The only way you're allowed to estimate range is if you can just tell by looking at it. When in doubt, don't do anything

Another pre-measure I've seen used in a tournament occured when it was *obvious* that there was no possible way that anyone was in range for anything, but the player pulled out the range ruler and "checked for target lock" to see how far everything was from his ships.

Yeah, this one can get a little tricky sometimes. In the Competitive Play rules it says the active ship may measure to any enemy ships before declaring one as the target. The keywords there are "active ship". And if it's blatantly obvious that nothing is in range, then it's probably abusing that rule. But when checking for a target lock, you've got to declare the intended target before measuring, and can only measure to that target.

There's a bit of grey area between the two rules, and there's definitely room for abuse.

When attempting to target lock, there's no rule against checking range to a target you know is within or without TL range, and in the process learning the ranges to other objects that may be along the ruler's path. But that information must be made available to both players, and it's only abusive if the measuring player removes their range ruler before the other player has had a chance to look.