If I were to Declare a Target of my attack before measuring the range to the ship, Would I be able to use this ability??

http://xwing-miniatures.wikia.com/wiki/R3-A2

So this has come up in a few games of mine now. My theory was I could declare my attack target before measuring the range to the ship, (even if it's obviously out of reach), I can use this ability. Of course My opponents say no and I have to have a legal shot at them, But we decided to go to the rules and the Faq but we were surprised to find nothing regarding the card or anything. No re-wording either. Searching throught the Faq we came across the Measuring range rules which are:

Players may only measure range and/or use the range ruler to determine whether a ship is inside or outside of a firing arc at the following times:

• When a ship becomes the active ship during the combat phase, the active player can measure range from the active ship to any enemy ships before declaring one as its target.

• When a player declares a ship’s ability that requires another ship (or ships) to be at a certain range, the player trying to resolve the ability can measure range from their ship to any valid ships before resolving the ability.

• After declaring the intended target of a target lock action, the active player may measure range to the intended target, and only to the intended target.

In the first Point it says we CAN measure range before we take a shot, this also mean we don't have to either. So basically Not pre checking range, I declare a target in My arc as a target and Use this ability, check range (if not in range select another target) and go from there. Similar to how you would declare a target for a target lock, or if you wanted to check a boost or barrel roll to see if you can avoid an obstacle. So we decided to do a dice roll.

I understand how i'm abusing the rules here, however I have yet to see a re-wording or FAQ for this. If someone knows something I missed weather in the rules or in the FAQ please let me know. Thanks again.

EDIT: If your going to reply please leave a link or tell me where you found your answer Please.

You can only declare an attack on a valid target. If you can't actually make an attack on the target you fail to declare them as a target.

You can only declare an attack on a valid target. If you can't actually make an attack on the target you fail to declare them as a target.

"If there is no valid target for the chosen weapon,

or if the attacker cannot pay any costs required

for the attack, the attacker may choose a

different weapon and target."

Where is this located??

Plus wouldn't it be the same as declaring a target for a target lock?? Say if your not sure a pilot can be target locked or not and you wanted to check, you would have to declare him as a target first the check the range right??

The Rules Reference included in the new core set has this under attack steps:

"Declare Target: The attacker may measure range to any number of enemy ships and check which enemy ships are inside his firing arc. Then the attacker chooses one of his weapons to attack with. Then he chooses one enemy ship to be the target and pays any costs required for the attack.

• If attacking with a primary weapon, the target must be inside the attacker’s firing arc and at Range 1–3."

This seems to say that you cannot complete the declare target step if the attacker is not actually in range.

Secondary question: If you know you are abusing the rules, do you still choose to use this strategy during your games? How do your opponents react?

Secondary question: If you know you are abusing the rules, do you still choose to use this strategy during your games? How do your opponents react?

I try to limit it, Like I know the way I decribe it seems like you could do it across the table with no range, I try to keep it relatively fair when so If im not sure if someone is within range ill declare it then.

They found it to be hilarious, It didn't come up in a actual tournament. Just casual games. But glad that has been solved, though I still have my doubts.

Thanks

You can only declare an attack on a valid target. If you can't actually make an attack on the target you fail to declare them as a target.

"If there is no valid target for the chosen weapon,

or if the attacker cannot pay any costs required

for the attack, the attacker may choose a

different weapon and target."

Where is this located??

Plus wouldn't it be the same as declaring a target for a target lock?? Say if your not sure a pilot can be target locked or not and you wanted to check, you would have to declare him as a target first the check the range right??

Nope. When a ship is the active ship in the Combat Phase it can measure range to any enemy ship and check to see if the enemy is in their arc. Only the active ship can measure though, so you can't have 4 TIE Fighters acting at the same PS and check arc and distance from all of them before deciding what order you want them to attack in.