Clarifying the rules for reactions.

By RobT, in Dust Warfare Rules Discussion

Hi all,

After re-reading the rulebook and the FAQ, I'm still a little unclear about one aspect of units that can react. Does a unit that activated in the initiating player's unit phase need a remaining action in order to react in the 2nd player's unit phase? The way I'm reading the FAQ, so long as a unit didn't gain suppression or reaction markers, they can react, even if there are no actions left for that unit.

For an example: can a unit of Brit Paras airdrop in (using up 2 move actions to do so), then make a ranged attack reaction to a unit that moved into 12 in. of them during the 2nd players turn?

Yes, they can.

One of the better advantages to having initiative.

That's what I thought. However, without further official FAQ clarification I have a feeling the guys I play with will likely want to play the rule as requiring a unit to have an unused action from their unit phase.

RobT said:

That's what I thought. However, without further official FAQ clarification I have a feeling the guys I play with will likely want to play the rule as requiring a unit to have an unused action from their unit phase.

Why would there need to be an official FAQ on it? It's a basic fundamental rule. If your guys aren't playing that way, they're pretty much lopsiding the whole turn mechanic.

blkdymnd said:

RobT said:

That's what I thought. However, without further official FAQ clarification I have a feeling the guys I play with will likely want to play the rule as requiring a unit to have an unused action from their unit phase.

Why would there need to be an official FAQ on it? It's a basic fundamental rule. If your guys aren't playing that way, they're pretty much lopsiding the whole turn mechanic.

And not playing the rules as written. As long as there isn't a Reaction Marker or Suppression Marker on the Unit, it may react per the Reaction rules.

Page 34 of the Rulebook reads…

"Reactions

The opposing force isn't necessarily going to sit still and let a commander have it all his way! During the opposing player's Unit phase, units are allowed to react to enemy actions if they do not have a Suppression or Reaction marker. "

This is not an FAQ in my experience, and I've done several demos. This is the first I've read it asked online (not saying it hasn't before, but this is the first I've seen, and I'm active on a number of DW forums). The rule as written is pretty clear IMHO. I hope the rule I quoted helps with your explaining it to your play group.

RobT said:

That's what I thought. However, without further official FAQ clarification I have a feeling the guys I play with will likely want to play the rule as requiring a unit to have an unused action from their unit phase.

Hmmmm… Fortunately there has been official FAQ clarification… And it addressed this question specifically!

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/Dust-Warfare/Support/Dust_Warfare_FAQ_Low.pdf

Page 3 reads:

"Reactions

Can a unit react even after it has activated in the previous phase?

As long as a unit has no Suppression or Reaction markers, it may react as normal, even after it has activated. This means that a unit that activates in the Initiating Player's Unit phase may react during the Responding Player's Unit phase, effectively gaining an additional action during the turn (but only if the Responding Player provokes a reaction)."

For future reference, FFG has errata and other online material available here, under the Support tab for Dust Warfare:

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=173&esem=4

Thanks everyone for your responses.