Deploying a Massive unit : push other figures or not ?

By Le Jedi Fou, in Imperial Assault Rules Questions

Hello everyone

So we had this discussion during our last game (A New Threat). I had to deploy a massive unit on a specific location but the space was already directly occupied by one of my units (E-Web). And potentially by a Rebel unit too, 2 squares away (If I chose the horizontal deployment instead of the vertical one)

The Rebel player said "You can't deploy a massive on top of other units and push them. The rules only says you can move and end your movement to their location."

Since then, I read the forum and understood the concept of Place / Enter / Deploy. What the rules say, if I am right, is that a Massive unit can enter ( be placed on / be deployed on ) a location with a hostile unit (no mention of friendly unit there). And another rules states that it can end its movement on a hostile or friendly unit.

So in my case, what were my legal choices ?

1- Place my Massive right where I wanted, pushing my unit and his unit ?

2- Place my Massive vertically so only my unit is pushed ?

(in either case, please link me the rule allowing me to push one of my units if I deploy a massive)

3- No Sir, you can't deploy a Massive on a friendly unit. Choose the closest free spot, but you can push the rebel unit by doing so

4- Nope, avoid any unit and choose the closest free spot, and this time I mean really free, even of rebel scum

Optional question : if my deployment allows me to choose between a free location and a location with hostile units on them, do I have to be good or can I be mean and do just as I want ?

Thank you !

Edited by Le Jedi Fou

Friendly / hostile has nothing to do with it.

Deployment:

· When the location for a figure's deployment is not specified, it
is deployed as close as possible to any active deployment point
shown in the mission's diagram, chosen by the Imperial player.
This includes the space containing the deployment point.

Place:

· A player cannot choose to place a figure in a space where
it cannot end its movement, such as in a space containing
another figure, blocking terrain, or impassible terrain.

(So, a player can choose to place a figure in a space where it can end movement.)

Massive:

· Massive figures cannot enter spaces containing other
Massive figures.
· A Massive figure can end its movement in spaces that contain
blocking terrain and/or other figures. Any figures in its spaces
are pushed into the closest empty space of its controller's
choice (taking impassible terrain into account). The player
moving the Massive figure pushes friendly figures first, and
then other players push their figures.

See the recent lengthy and frustrating BGG thread about this. It's probably going to be in the next FAQ, so it's unofficial, but from the designer.

Deployment is meant to be end of movement, so

a) A massive figure must be deployed on the deployement point (unless other Massive prevents it) because it is as close as possible to the deployment point.

b) A deployment is end of movement, so it pushes the figures under the Massive figure.

Or maybe it's best to just read this:

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/22875192#22875192

So, to your question:

5) As close to an active deployment point of your choice as possible, almost certainly one of the Massive figure's spaces must be on top of the selected deployment point. Then Push any friendly figures under the Massive in the order of your choosing, then the controller of each hostile figure under the Massive Pushes them in the order of their choosing.

Bonus: Choose any active deployment point you want. Massive figures do not care.

Edited by a1bert