At a tournament this passed weekend I played against a player who held a template about a foot above his ship during the planning phase. I assumed this counted as pre-measuring, though he disagreed with me.

I know that pre-measuring is not allowed, but I also assumed it was 'hands off' the templates unless they're being used to move a ship or mark position.

Was I right or wrong? Thanks.

He is most definitely NOT allowed to do that.

It seem that anything is considered pre-measuring.

any form of premeasure is not allowed. You arent even allowed to use your hands to size it up. I keep my templates on the side of the map purely because looking at the size of the template and imagining where i want it placed is as much "premeasure" as is legal, since im not actually doing anything physically.

If he wasn't doing some kind of pre-measuring (which is illegal), then why was he randomly holding a maneuver template above a ship? People that say "its not explicitly stated in the rules that I can't [ridiculous assumption that gives that player an edge], therefore I can do it" are the kind that need to be shut down when they try stuff like that.

If you can hold the template 1 foot above the table, the Overton's Window effect takes place, and it becomes 6 inches, then 3, then 1...

He was cheating. Plain and simple.

If he wasn't doing some kind of pre-measuring (which is illegal), then why was he randomly holding a maneuver template above a ship? People that say " its not explicitly stated in the rules that I can't [ridiculous assumption that gives that player an edge], therefore I can do it" are the kind that need to be shut down when they try stuff like that.

If you can hold the template 1 foot above the table, the Overton's Window effect takes place, and it becomes 6 inches, then 3, then 1...

To which I always mention.. .rules are inclusive in that they tell you what you can do. It's impossible to come up with ever possible scenario of what someone cannot do. The rules don't say I can't slap down a piece of fried chicken on the board after the End Phase and before the next Planning Phase, but I'm still waiting for someone go ahead and try that and see what happens...

And yes, the player in question was totally cheating. Massive. Granted they also may have been telegraphing what they planned to do, and I'd adjust my dials accordingly.

To which I always mention.. .rules are inclusive in that they tell you what you can do. It's impossible to come up with ever possible scenario of what someone cannot do. The rules don't say I can't slap down a piece of fried chicken on the board after the End Phase and before the next Planning Phase, but I'm still waiting for someone go ahead and try that and see what happens...

Well it depends... Who gets to eat the chicken? Is either player vegetarian?

To which I always mention.. .rules are inclusive in that they tell you what you can do. It's impossible to come up with ever possible scenario of what someone cannot do. The rules don't say I can't slap down a piece of fried chicken on the board after the End Phase and before the next Planning Phase, but I'm still waiting for someone go ahead and try that and see what happens...

Well it depends... Who gets to eat the chicken? Is either player vegetarian?

And is the chicken well prepared?

There is nothing worse then badly cooked chicken.

Well maybe aside from well-done steaks.

Well maybe aside from well-done steaks.

Haaaaaa gooooosssshhhhh

To which I always mention.. .rules are inclusive in that they tell you what you can do. It's impossible to come up with ever possible scenario of what someone cannot do. The rules don't say I can't slap down a piece of fried chicken on the board after the End Phase and before the next Planning Phase, but I'm still waiting for someone go ahead and try that and see what happens...

Well it depends... Who gets to eat the chicken? Is either player vegetarian?

I'm thinking if a piece of chicken is being slapped down, chances are at least one of the players ISN'T a vegetarian.