Hey guys,

so there's been a heated discussion within our X-Wing group concerning Qi'ra and performing attacks while stinding on asteroids. So far the consensus has been, that it's not possible because:

a) Qi'ra triggers WHILE attacking, not while you check whether you can perform an attack at all

b) according to the FAQ "ignoring obstacles" means no effects while moving or overlapping, but makes no mention of range 0 -> rulebook explicitly differentiates between overlapping and range 0, range 0 being the deciding factor that decides whether you can attack or not. Additionally, Outer Rim Pioneer is also worded this way and doesn't "ignore obstacles" while ships are at range 0, but instead explicitly allow to "perform attacks" at range 0.

So far, so good. However, at the Krayt/Gold Squadron Cup, ships with Qi'ra were allowed to shoot from asteroids, the argument being that the ship still engages, part of engagement is an attack and therefore, Qi'ra triggers because engaging means you are already attacking.

I'd love to get an official ruling on this, but until then: What's your opinion?

That RAW, she doesn't allow attacks on locked asteroids, but RAI, she does.

My opinion is that "while attacking" includes the entire process of the attack, including the determination of valid attacks, so Qi'ra allows attacks.

There does exist another long thread onhere with a lot of argument over it.

Wouldn't the very first answer on the official rulings thread cover this question?

30 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

My opinion is that "while attacking" includes the entire process of the attack, including the determination of valid attacks, so Qi'ra allows attacks.

There does exist another long thread onhere with a lot of argument over it.

Couldn't find that... can you post a link?

18 minutes ago, benlane17 said:

Wouldn't the very first answer on the official rulings thread cover this question?

Nah, not really... it only covers the question of how many dice are being thrown around, but not specifically whether the ship can attack or not.

A : When an effect says a ship “ignores obstacles,” it means that ship “ignores the effects of obstacles.

not being able to shoot is an effect of being on a rock. Therefore Qi'Ra ignores it and can shoot.

Here is the link to the official thread:

The Official Rulings covers what "ignore obstacles" means. The Qi'ra debate is about the timing of when you ignore obstacles. If Qi'ra's text was "You ignore obstacles you are locking.", then there would be no debate. However, Qi'ra's text has two specific timing windows:

" While you move and perform attacks , you ignore obstacles you are locking."

There are two main perspectives in this discussion:

Rules as Written:

Engaging is not the same as attacking, and Qi'ra cannot bypass range 0 effect of asteroids.

Rules as Intended:

FFG meant to allow Qi'ra to let ships shoot while range 0 of a locked asteroid.

There is not an answer. Official clarification is needed.

2 hours ago, thespaceinvader said:

That RAW, she doesn't allow attacks on locked asteroids, but RAI, she does.

Has anyone of the designers told that intent aloud?

I interpret the card so that you do not get to advance to the "while attacking" step in the first place with Qi'ra alone. However, if there were Outer Rim Pioneer close by, then you would naturally get to shoot and without the defender getting the extra defence die (from the locked obstacle).

1 hour ago, Hessen said:

Has anyone of the designers told that intent aloud?

I interpret the card so that you do not get to advance to the "while attacking" step in the first place with Qi'ra alone. However, if there were Outer Rim Pioneer close by, then you would naturally get to shoot and without the defender getting the extra defence die (from the locked obstacle).

No they haven't, it's my opinion. As the OP asked for.

So in a nutshell: From all we know for certain, the rules do not allow it and allowing it takes guesswork 😁

Thanks guys! Guess we'll keep playing it like Qi'ra does not enable shooting from asteroids until an official ruling then.

20 minutes ago, Hiemfire said:

I know that video, but it's

a) not an official ruling plus

b) he kinda glosses over the whole timing question, so I personally disagree with his conclusion.

Don't get me wrong though: If a judge rules it's possible at a tournament, I will follow it, no questions asked. Doesn't mean I agree with it outside of that setting though. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned: case closed until there's an official ruling. Thanks for all your input once more!

I don't think it's definitive enough to state that RAW it's not allowed. The whole addition of the word "while" causes ambiguity in all sorts of rules. They even state that right in the rules reference under timing. I feel like wording has gotten better since first edition, but things like this where she's essentially the old dash crew/pilot, but with only one rock and costs an action.

I am also in the camp of she can attack. A ship always engages even if it can't attack.

So if Qui'ra is on a locked rock she will still engage and then ignore the effects of the obsticle. I know this engagement rule well due to dying from console fire to many times.

On 3/11/2019 at 2:10 PM, thespaceinvader said:

That RAW, she doesn't allow attacks on locked asteroids, but RAI, she does.

pretty much exactly this, yes.

it needs an errata or clarification. until then, RAW she cannot attack while on asteroids, even while locking them. i expect a lot of tournaments ruling otherwise, though. just make sure you're on the same page as your opponent if you're fielding her in casual games and check with the organizers if you bringing her to an event. well before you start playing, that is.