Let's say I have Evaan Verlaine (Initiative 4) with a Dorsal Turret (currently aimed to the rear) and Han Solo (gunner). I have ships in range in both my front and rear arcs.

Engagement Phase begins. At Initiative 7, I may make a turret attack (granted via Han's ability).

Do I still engage at Initiative 4 and make a primary attack? I know that I cannot make a second turret attack (prohibited via Han's ability).

Confusion comes with pages 5 and 7 of the Rules Reference that say:

"Each ship may perform only one attack when it engages during this phase"
and
"Each ship engages only once during this phase."

Does the Initiative 7 attack granted by Han count as engaging?

Han gunner is a little unclear. I feel like he ought to be a bonus attack, but isn't. So arguably, you can use him, make your normal attack, AND make a bonus attack later.

Compare the wording of the Force talent that lets you engage at I7.

The Rules Reference says ships engage one at a time in descending Initiative order, and Rebel Han Gunner doesn't say anything to change that.

What he does do is allow you to make an attack in a specific window with some restrictions. You still engage as normal at your normal Initiative, and as per the normal rules, you can attack then. Han just says you can't use the same turret arc you used for the extra Han attack at I7.

On 8/3/2018 at 9:50 AM, thespaceinvader said:

Han gunner is a little unclear. I feel like he ought to be a bonus attack, but isn't. So arguably, you can use him, make your normal attack, AND make a bonus attack later.

Compare the wording of the Force talent that lets you engage at I7.

Bonus attacks are defined as happening during the "Aftermath" step (RR p6), which is part of the attack sequence (RR p5). Han's attack doesn't trigger during an attack, so it can't be a bonus attack.

Way after-the-fact edit: (10/3/18) Since I wrote this, this has changed. The 1.0.2 Rules Reference contains a FAQ question about whether Han Gunner's attack is a bonus attack, and it states "Yes. Anything that permits an attack outside of the standard attack allowed to a ship when it engages is a bonus attack." So Han Gunner would stop you from using another effect that grants a bonus attack. It still doesn't interfere with your regular attack. :end Way after-the-fact edit

The Force upgrade you mentioned is called Heightened Perception, and it says "At the start of the Engagement Phase, you may spend 1 Force charge. If you do, engage at initiative 7 instead of your standard initiative value this phase.". And it's a good example, because that's how Han should have been worded if they didn't want him to leave you your regular attack.

Yeah, I missed the full definition of bonus attack.

Han Gunner is pretty clear.

I just don't like him.

Alas his text isn't "You cannot attack from that <arc> again or perform bonus attacks this round." That would have been fair (a ship being limited to two total attacks is entirely fair), and clean up confusion.

On 8/3/2018 at 10:50 AM, thespaceinvader said:

Compare the wording

On FFG cards? You absolute madman.