Hi all,

So I've just finished the rule book and I'm pretty good on the rules, except one. How does assault work exactly?

This is my understanding:

1. It's a 3" range and just like any other attack action with some exceptions.

2. It cannot be sustained, so you do not get to reroll hits? Does that mean that a unit in combat only gets to attack once? Losing an AP cause I don't think you can attack twice.

3. Units cannot use a reaction to leave combat, they can only attack back. So the lay out is: If I move a unit to within 3" of an enemy unit, that enemy unit may as a reaction fire or move, unless they for some reason cannot make reactions. If I make an attack, and the enemy has no reason they cannot react, then they can react with C attacks at the same time.

4. A unit in assault my simple leave, as in walk right out of it. But, if they unit they are walking away from can make a reaction, then that unit could attack once more when that unti tries to leave. So basically, if you try to leave combat, and the unit you were fighting has not be given a order/suppression/reaction, then they may attack onc emore?

Thanks in advance. This are about the only rules that confuse me.

Assault is a special ability that means your opponent cannot react after a march move.

I think you're referring to Close Combat.

I don't remember reading that Close Combat can't be sustained - is that true? (I don't have my book with me right now.)

Zombiejoe said:

1. Correct, each model using C weapons must be within 3" of a model in the target unit.

2. It can be sustained

3. Units can only react to a close combat attack with a close combat attack themselves (assuming they are no suppressed or have a reaction already)

4. If any unit within 12" of another unit moves that unit may take a reaction as normal. It makes no difference they were in close combat prior. You may also react to that movement with either you C or ranged attacks as they move away (assuming you have no suppression or reaction markers before they move).

So in theory, if a two units are in combat. During the command phase, you could issue an order to a unit to move out of combat, this would not trigger a reaction since you don't get a reaction to orders. Is that correct?

Also it just occcured to me, since we measure everything horizontally, does that mean if a unit was 9" up in a build, a unit on the ground could still attack as long as they are within 3" horizontally? That seems silly, with shooting it makes sense, cause guns is guns. but, it seems that with combat, if a unit is in elevated, then you measure vertically. Or has a rule that says units can only attack while on the same level or within one level….or something like that.

Zombiejoe said:

Correct

Zombiejoe said:

with the RAW you could attack someone in Close Combat 3" away and 9" in the air… however, you have to have LoS to the enemy even for close combat.. so if on another floor, no you wouldn't see them… it would be difficult unless holes in the floor… to see someone 9" above you with trues LOS. Unless your squad leader was 6" away from those in CC to give an unblocked LoS….

Personally I am assuming it's a 3" bubble around those in close combat.

The simplest way to hand Close Combat is to just treat it as a 3" shooting attack where models can only use close combat weapons, can't split their attacks between different units, ignores cover, and the only reaction allowed is for the reacting unit to attack back with close combat weapons following all the same restrictions.

However remember that there is no "Locking in Combat" like there is in other games, so a unit who starts their activation within Close Combat Range of an enemy unit is free to move away, shoot their guns at the enemy unit, or even shoot at a different target if they so choose. Like wise, there is no penalty to shoot at an enemy squad that is in combat range of one of your other friendly squads.

-jay