Is it possible to fire a weapon at a target beyond its effective range? For example: can I use a Blaster Pistol, which has a range characteristic of "medium" at a target at long range? Is this just not possible or is there some sort of negative dice applied to the pool for such a shot?
I ask because on my initial reading of the rules for combat I understood that you could not use a weapon beyond its effective range - it just didn't work. However, on page 38 of the Beginner Game Rulebook, in the description of "Range" in the Starship and Vehicle Weapons section it says:
"Unlike in personal combat, the differences in distance between range bands at starship scale are so great that starships cannot attack targets beyond their range band."
Which seems to imply that in personal combat you can attack targets beyond your range band.
So, is this back reference in the Starship section an error, possibly a hang over from a pre-print version. Or have I missed some vital table that explains what negative dice to apply if you fire at something beyond effective range?
Thoughts?