Squad Mode question

By PoohBear2, in Deathwatch Rules Questions

I understand at rank 4 you can use semi auto or full auto instead of a standard attack. This question applies to rank 1-3

Fire for Effect action . So while this is in effect instead of using a dodge or a parry you can get a shot off at the enemy? You can do this every round it is in effect? What if you are using a heavy bolter? Do you not get to use this action cause it only fires in full auto(full round)? If you have a heavy bolter you can not make a standard attack, but if you add the deathwatch suspensor. Then can you use this action?

poohbear said:

I understand at rank 4 you can use semi auto or full auto instead of a standard attack. This question applies to rank 1-3

Fire for Effect action . So while this is in effect instead of using a dodge or a parry you can get a shot off at the enemy? You can do this every round it is in effect? What if you are using a heavy bolter? Do you not get to use this action cause it only fires in full auto(full round)? If you have a heavy bolter you can not make a standard attack, but if you add the deathwatch suspensor. Then can you use this action?

With the Heavy Bolter you cannot make a Standard Attack, period. So only shooting on rank 4+. Personally I think a lot of the Squad Mode abilities do not function properly as they are worded.

In the case of Fire for Effect, I would (house) rule that you can get a free shot (standard or later possibly automatic fire) when an enemy appears and you spend a Reaction. The intention seems to be spending reactions to make snapshots. Like in Final Sanction when those Genestealers appeared in the Promethium refinery, playing with their pray, trying to deplete their low aummunition - with this ability whenever one pops up between the machinery, whoever sees it gets to spend their reaction to shoot.

Or Tactical Spacing - I would (house) rule that this works only on dodges of ranged attacks ; here the Tactical Spacing helps. I would not allow its use to make a series of uses of the Space Wolf ability of Counterattacks.

Oh and since Fire For Effect is a sustained power you pay for it once and have it unlocked for the rest of the mission, so that means every turn you are in squad mode and have this power active. That's why I'd house rule it as above.

Alex

I suppose fire for effect is best used with single shot heavy weapons like missiles, las cannons etc. artillery. I might be mistaken, but the phrase is used in modern military lingo when directing artillery attacks and air support.