Heyo! I've been running Deathrain recently and am excited for Trajectory Simulator to drop so I can use it for my Punishers!

However.

I'm not sure if Deathrain will be able to Barrel Roll after "launching" a bomb. I have heard from podcasters that this will likely require an FAQ for clarification since Deathrain's ability text reads "drop" and Trajectory Simulator reads "launch". I do believe that Deathrain is the only pilot whose ability might not work with Trajectory Simulator, though I would also mention Crimson Specialist from the Resistance Bomber could also be affected.

Thoughts? I would like to think that Deathrain will still get the Barrel Roll, but I'm not super experienced with parsing out the rules. I don't really think that there is a precedent to look for, either.

Deathrain says you can drop a bomb using the front guides, and TS says you can launch a bomb using the 5 template instead of dropping a bomb. I would think the two are fairly compatible and should work fine together.

Crimson Specialist says you place a bomb touching your ship, or you could launch it using TS. It's still compatible as far as I can see.

48 minutes ago, Parravon said:

Deathrain says you can drop a bomb using the front guides, and TS says you can launch a bomb using the 5 template instead of dropping a bomb. I would think the two are fairly compatible and should work fine together.

Crimson Specialist says you place a bomb touching your ship, or you could launch it using TS. It's still compatible as far as I can see.

Definitely agree on both counts. I think they just need to clarify what "launch" means vs "drop".

Definitely needs clarification as to the interaction bewteen launch and drop.

Why they felt the need to define a new keyword I don't know.

Why the felt that need AND didn't clarify enough how it interacts with the old one...

Here's what we know (emphasis mine):

• Deathrain: When dropping a bomb, you may use the front guides of your ship. After dropping a bomb, you may perform a free barrel roll action.
• Trajectory Simulator: You may launch bombs using the 5 Straight template instead of dropping them. You cannot launch bombs with the "ACTION:" header in this way.
• "Launch" definition: Instead of dropping a bomb, some abilities in this product allow a ship to LAUNCH a bomb token. To launch a bomb token, follow these steps.
  • Take the indicated maneuver template and slide it between the front guides of your ship.
  • Place the bomb token indicated on the Upgrade card into the play area and slide the guides of the token into the opposite end of the template.

It's just my speculation, but...

1. Trajectory Simulator replaces the act of dropping a bomb with launching one. Launching and Dropping are different.
2. Deathrain gets his free barrel roll only when he drops a bomb.

Ultimately, it comes down to the good old "Do What The Card Says To Do; Do Not Do What The Card Does Not Say To Do" territory. Deathrain gets a free barrel roll when he drops a bomb (forward or backward). If Deathrain launches a bomb, though, he is not dropping it; therefore, he does not get his free barrel roll.

Yeah, i wouldn't count it out but on the face of RAW it looks like a no.

That said, Deathrain already has the most mobility and firing options of anyone who can use Trajectory sims (when taking into account his ability) so it wont be a terrible loss. You're opponent already has to ask themselves if you're going to throw it 5 forward with a 1 move, 1 forward or 1 behind with a roll bank/turn. Even without AS that's enough to feck with an opponents head almost as much as scum nym.

deathrain is better with adv sensors anyway

But yes, his ability does not trigger off launching a bomb. This is a game of keywords, unless they faq it otherwise launch is a distinct different effect than drop (unlike, say, remove and discard which have no indication they are different things).

On 12/3/2017 at 4:07 PM, thespaceinvader said:

Definitely needs clarification as to the interaction bewteen launch and drop.

Why they felt the need to define a new keyword I don't know.

Why the felt that need AND didn't clarify enough how it interacts with the old one...

You must not be familiar with FFG.

I'm familiar with the decisions they make, that still doesn't mean that I know why they make them...

1 hour ago, thespaceinvader said:

I'm familiar with the decisions they make, that still doesn't mean that I know why they make them...

Do any of us?

Personally, I think "launch" and "drop" are likely to be synonymous with regard to abilities like Deathrain. But I think we'll have to wait and see...

again.

9 hours ago, Vineheart01 said:

deathrain is better with adv sensors anyway

But yes, his ability does not trigger off launching a bomb. This is a game of keywords, unless they faq it otherwise launch is a distinct different effect than drop (unlike, say, remove and discard which have no indication they are different things).

Well, I ran Deathrain with Advanced Sensors, and while it was nice to have that boost before dropping, it certainly got me in trouble a couple of times when I hadn't necessarily planned on moving before dropping. One of the things I'm really going to miss is haveing Collision Detector on Deathrain because I won't get an extra die on top of Lightweight Frame for defense...