The wording on Autothrusters is that:

When defending, if you are beyond Range 2 or outside the attacker's firing arc, you may change 1 of your blank results to an evade result...

However, in the Rules Reference, it is noted that for secondary weapons:

Range combat bonuses do not apply during secondary weapon attacks.

Now, it's obvious that Autothrusters triggers for all out of arc turret attacks. What's less obvious is whether Autothrusters would trigger for an in-arc, but range 3 attack from a secondary weapon, such as a cannon.

To me, a reading of the rules would indicate that Autothrusters would not trigger for such an attack, but FFG has published, in Interceptors and Autothrusters that:

Autothrusters increase your ability to evade all of their out-of-arc shots. (emphasis mine)

I've tried to google an answer on this topic, and could only come up with vague interpretations, or with marketing speak that seems to be contrary to what the words on the page say.

So, which is it, would Autothruster be used to avoid a secondary weapon attack at range 3?

Autothruster says nothing about what type of weapon is being fired. Also while it's true secondary weapons don't follow the rules for bonus dice, attack or defense. That has nothing to do with autothrusters either.

Any attack at range 3 regardless of what type of weapon it is triggers Autothrusters. The quote you have there is quite correct, but says nothing about situation you bring up one way or the other.

So bottom line is again... Range 3 or Outside the printed arc and autothrusters work.

Autothrusters is not a 'Range Combat Bonus', but a separate effect. AT's will trigger at range 3 regardless if its a primary weapon or secondary weapon.

Range Combat Bonus is the +1 for defenders at range 3, and +1 for attackers at range 1.

.... dang ninjad

Autothruster says nothing about what type of weapon is being fired. Also while it's true secondary weapons don't follow the rules for bonus dice, attack or defense. That has nothing to do with autothrusters either.

Any attack at range 3 regardless of what type of weapon it is triggers Autothrusters. The quote you have there is quite correct, but says nothing about situation you bring up one way or the other.

So bottom line is again... Range 3 or Outside the printed arc and autothrusters work.

There's another thread discussing something similar that's currently on the first page. It's not exactly the same as this but it is discussing whether or not Autothrusters should be using the range of the attack or using a separate measurement to determine if it activates.

If it is a separate measurement it would be possible to not have Autothrusters activate on an in-arc range three shot if the closest points of the ship were range two from each other.

it would be possible to not have Autothrusters activate on an in-arc range three shot if the closest points of the ship were range two from each other.

Sure but that's kind of a fringe case.

it would be possible to not have Autothrusters activate on an in-arc range three shot if the closest points of the ship were range two from each other.

Sure but that's kind of a fringe case.

The rules forum would be kind of boring without fringe cases though.

it would be possible to not have Autothrusters activate on an in-arc range three shot if the closest points of the ship were range two from each other.

Sure but that's kind of a fringe case.

Happens a lot with turrets.

The rules forum would be kind of boring without fringe cases though.

True, but I didn't want to confuse the OP with a case that didn't actually fit into the question asked.

Happens a lot with turrets.

Yes that's true, but in this case we're dealing with non-turret attacks so that's why I didn't bring it up.

Now we've established there is another thread discussing this, can we stop discussing it here?

The rules forum would be kind of boring without fringe cases though.

True, but I didn't want to confuse the OP with a case that didn't actually fit into the question asked.

Happens a lot with turrets.

Yes that's true, but in this case we're dealing with non-turret attacks so that's why I didn't bring it up.

But isn't that the only time that two measurements are made? One for arc and one for range. A small ship measures closest to closest in arc. So if the in arc measurement is R3 but R2 out of arc AT would trigger, right? Or do I have this effed up?

But isn't that the only time that two measurements are made? One for arc and one for range. A small ship measures closest to closest in arc. So if the in arc measurement is R3 but R2 out of arc AT would trigger, right? Or do I have this effed up?

See: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/198248-inquisitor-and-autothrusters/which I don't believe there is an official answer..... but in any case it shouldn't be discussed here b/c we're just going to confuse the OP.

But isn't that the only time that two measurements are made? One for arc and one for range. A small ship measures closest to closest in arc. So if the in arc measurement is R3 but R2 out of arc AT would trigger, right? Or do I have this effed up?

See: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/198248-inquisitor-and-autothrusters/which I don't believe there is an official answer..... but in any case it shouldn't be discussed here b/c we're just going to confuse the OP.

Sorry. I got carried away and lost the OPs original question. You reach a certain age and the mind starts to wander.

My question was answered, thanks. And the off topic discussion, while not about my specific question was not confusing to me. I am reading the other thread now and enjoying it!

I analyse (and write) policy in my day job, where every single word matters, and it simply dawned on me that Autothrusters could fall under "Range combat bonuses" the way the card is written.

I simply wanted confirmation from people used to FFG-speak rather than federal telecommunications regulations

You reach a certain age and the mind starts to wander.

In my case, that age was about 8.

You reach a certain age and the mind starts to wander.

In my case, that age was about 8.

I thought I was alone! :-)

My mind started to wander once... I figured it knew best so I let it go.

Been reading the Hitchhiker's Guide to Galaxy lately...