It's **** like this that makes this game lose it's fun value.

Interesting arc interaction I found the other day that I don't think I've ever seen anyone try to use. The word May means you can turn it on or off. The Outrider title says you "May" fire outside of the arc. So, in theory, you could opt to not use the May which would then force an in arc shot that might give you range 2 where a full 360 would cause range 1. It's weird and I would hope to never have to judge such a call.

Interesting. Anyone know of a rule that limits this possibility? I feel like there's something I'm forgetting here.

Found this in the FAQ...

Q: If a ship attacks an enemy ship with a turret weapon and the defender is also inside its firing arc, can the attacker choose to measure range using the rules for its firing arc instead of the rules for a turret weapon?

A: No. When attacking with a weapon that can target ships outside of firing arc, range is measured from the closest point to the closest point.

So it clears that up. No crazy loophole shenanigans allowed.

Covered in the FAQ Page 5

"Some card abilities use the expression “inside firing arc at Range X” or “inside firing arc beyond Range X.” This compound phrase defines a specific situation where the closest point to closest point distance between two ships, when measured inside firing arc, is at a specific range band. See the diagram below."

There are definitely some really weird instances with "in arc" and "at range X". Take these few examples:

Fenn Rau + Fearlessness + Concord Dawn Title

Fenn Rau => At range 1 => this is closest to closest. You could in theory trigger it on a range 2 shot

Fearlessness => Inside firing arc AT range 1 and inside your firing arc => must be at range 1 when inside the defender's firing arc, but could be at range 2 of Fenn Rau's firing arc. Rare, but possible.

Concord Dawn Title => Inside firing arc AND AT range 1 => the range 1 is closest to closest as the word AND makes it two separate conditions.

Lancers => The side arcs must consider the plastic of the base, therefore the side arcs are actually better than the front and rear. Also, read each pilots ability for IN ARC AT and IN ARC AND AT for the differences like I mentioned in Fenn's abilities.

oh for sure, thats why there is a pretty picture in the FAQ to explain all that. I was just quoting for the use of In arc measuring. Also, that was the first place I knew to look to address that being in arc matters for measuring.... Because of the pretty picture.

I also like pictures... harder to dispute than minuscule differences in the syntax of the English language.

The picture doesn't say anything about firing though. It's there for "Some card abilities [that] use the expression “inside firing arc at Range X” or “inside firing arc beyond Range X.”" only.

I've asked this as a rules question to FFG. We should have an answer in a matter of just a couple of months

FFG's Frank Brooks himself already replied:

As stated in the rules reference, on page 16 under Range, it says “When measuring range for an attack, the attacker measures to the closest point of the target ship that is inside the attacker’s firing arc.” This means that you measure range from the closest part that is inside the firing arc which is not the plastic base. This is of course not relevant if you are performing an attack with a turret.

So it looks like I was wrong. Thanks for pointing this out!