SHORT:

When a figure makes an attack, is there any definitive rule (or language) that states the space(s) they make their attack from must be EMPTY and/or a space(s) in which they could LEGITIMATELY end their movement?

LONGER:

I don't much like the rules-of-play in Imperial Assault that allows figures to move through spaces occupied by other figures; however, I love the game and when it comes to those rules, well, it is what it is . At our last gaming-session, my group and I stumbled a bit regarding the eligibility of a space (or spaces) from which a figure MAY or may not initiate an attack.

It all started with the capability of figures passing through spaces occupied by other figures. Furthermore, I read a thread (on this forum) in which one of the GAME DEVELOPERS stated that yes, a figure may interact with an object, even if the space adjacent to the object is not free, and even if the figure has to (effectively) be in the same space as another figure while performing the interact(ion), as long as they end their movement in an eligible space.

So... That got us (my gaming-group) wondering if a figure could: 1) move, 2) "share" a space with another figure(s), 3) initiate an attack from a "shared" space, and finally 4) finish their movement and end their turn in an eligible space.

Ultimately, for the time being, we ruled AGAINST that, because we all agree that it would eventually become troublesome, and that we'd all (both Rebels and Imperial) end up declaring attacks from spaces that were not empty.

So, on behalf of everyone, I'm asking if people can point to a definitive ruling that spells out whether this is allowed or not?

The only relevant language I could find / point out to my gaming-group was that when it comes to "sharing" space, all the rules use the word THROUGH , and they never say specifically that a character can "stop" or "pause" and/or "attack" from a shared-spaced. The only rules I could find related to this topic only talked about moving/passing "through".

Some help, please???

Shortly : You need to end movement to take an action.

If the figure is performing an attack from the Attack action or a special action, then you need to end movement first, and that requires that the figure is not sharing a space with another (non-companion) figure.

Also, you can spend movement points before or after actions, not during actions.

Can you point to the thread about interacting? You can interact without ending movement if it happens without taking an action, i.e. without the Interact action - this could come from a mission rule. If the Interact is an action, you need to end movement first, regardless of what a developer has previously said.

Shortly : You need to end movement to take an action.

If the figure is performing an attack from the Attack action or a special action, then you need to end movement first, and that requires that the figure is not sharing a space with another (non-companion) figure.

Also, you can spend movement points before or after actions, not during actions.

Can you point to the thread about interacting? You can interact without ending movement if it happens without taking an action, i.e. without the Interact action - this could come from a mission rule. If the Interact is an action, you need to end movement first, regardless of what a developer has previously said.

1) First of all, let me be clear: I agree with you (so I'm not "arguing").

2) Secondly, I have read and re-read the RRG and the LTP booklets exhaustively.

3) When you say "end movement" I believe you mean "pause movement" or "stop movement" , because movement points can be used before and after actions.

4) Most importantly: where does it say in any book (specifically) that a figure must "end movement" in order to take make an attack or take an action ??? (I cannot find it, obviously.)

5) I can see on page 3 of the RRG it says: "Movement points can be spent before or after performing an action."

6) What I'd like to see (in written form) is where it says anything about a space having to be empty/free in order for a figure to make an attack (from it) or perform an action (while in it).

Can you help out some more???

The core rules imply this, but you're correct that they don't explicitly state it. There's no rule for stop or pause movement, that doesn't mean anything. You MOVE THROUGH spaces containing figures and END MOVEMENT when it's legal, you can still move again after ending movement of you have movement points (see movement in reference guide).

As for where it does explicitly state you can't perform actions while in a space with another figure (except companions), refer to the FAQ available on the product page, I think it's page 4. Search for "end its movement".

It was all there. Trust me, to take an action you have to end movement. It is one of the fundamentals of the game, and one of the first mistakes we made ourselves.

Ending movement is a concept in the game. It is used to define where you can place figures, which is also used in deployment rules and some abilities. (You cannot place a figure where it cannot end movement.)

End movement = stop spending movement points. You can do this as many times before and after performing actions as you have movement points for. Non-Massive figures can not end movement on top of figures. If Massive figures end movement on top of figures they cannot spend movement points anymore in the same activation.

1. You can only enter a space with another figure if you have enough movement points to end movement in a valid space. (Movement rules)

2. You can spend movement points only before and after actions. (Actions)

Thus, to perform an action, you have to end movement. And to end movement you cannot be sharing a space with another figure (unless Massive).

Shortly : You need to end movement to take an action.

Can you point to the thread about interacting? You can interact without ending movement if it happens without taking an action, i.e. without the Interact action - this could come from a mission rule. If the Interact is an action, you need to end movement first, regardless of what a developer has previously said.

Just a hunch: Might be a discussion about the Bespin missions with the clues to open the safe. They are neutral mission tokens and only require an insight test to be claimed (no action). I distinctly remember us talking about this and maybe even ask paul for the rules clarification section on the show. But of course, this is very mission specific and doesm't apply to attacks (well .. there is jedi luke).

Just a hunch: Might be a discussion about the Bespin missions with the clues to open the safe. They are neutral mission tokens and only require an insight test to be claimed (no action). I distinctly remember us talking about this

In my PBF I added a clarification to the mission briefing. SWIA033: Reclassified

Don't mention the war!

Or Luke's Heroic.

Happened to come across this.

Q: Can a figure perform an action while occupying the same
space as another figure as long as it still has enough movement
points remaining to exit that space after performing the action?
A: No. A figure must end its movement in order to perform
any actions and a figure cannot end its movement in a space
containing another figure (unless it is massive).