I played the other day the Fleet Ambush mission as the second player.

My opponents first ship was placed at the border of the Ambush zone with only a small part of his ships base within the ambush zone, and effectively it was only about one ship length away from his second ship placed in the normal deployment zone.

He claimed that it was legal to do this, as part of the base was "within" the ambush zone.

But is it???

Or must the base of the ship be completely within the ambush zone???

If it is the former, dos it not defeat the purpose of an Fleet Ambush???

RRG, Page 9, "Range and Distance"

• The following terms are used when discussing range and distance:

◊ At: If any portion of a hull zone, base, or token is inside a specified band, that component is at that band.

◊ Beyond: If no portion of a hull zone, base, or token is inside a specified band or a band closer to the bottom of the ruler, that component is beyond the specified band.

◊ Within: If the entirety of a base or token is inside a specified band, that component is within that band.

◊ Minimum–Maximum: This abbreviation encompasses the minimum band, maximum band, and all bands in-between, such as “distance 1–4.”

And Fleet Ambush (Emphasis Mine):

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Fleet Ambush States "Within" the Ambush Zone. Ergo, the ENTIRE base of the Ship, including Shield Dials (which count for overlapping) must be Within the Ambush Zone.

Not simply "At" it.

Contrast this with Hyperspace Assault, in which you place your Hyperspacing ships and/or Squadrons At Distance 1 of the Chosen marker.

Ergo, the ENTIRE base of the Ship, including Shield Dials (which count for overlapping) must be Within the Ambush Zone.

Not sure I follow your logic on the point of the shield dials. I don't think the dials count when determining "within", much as they wouldn't count for "at." Overlapping is pretty much the only time they matter, and this is not an overlapping mechanic at play here. What's your reasoning on that?

I would argue that they qualify as part of "the entirety of the base" - but I'm not sure how much it really matters. Usually when I'm placing inside the Ambush zone I can't tell exactly where the line is, so I approximate to everyone's satisfaction (if I place it right at the edge, which isn't always the case.)

In not sure that the difference caused by the shield dials will often matter.

The entire SHIP must be WITHIN the ambush zone (much like ships must be within the deployment zone during regular deployment).

The entire SHIP must be WITHIN the ambush zone (much like ships must be within the deployment zone during regular deployment).

Then we are reading "entire" the same.

I think we are.

Both SHIP and WITHIN are pretty well described in the rules.

I think we are.

Both SHIP and WITHIN are pretty well described in the rules.

Of course on this forum there is always room for... creative discussion.