So, I had a situation where the closest corner of bases were definitely within range 3, and part of the ship being targeted was within the firing arch of the attacking ship. But, both of these conditions were not met at the same time.

In other words, while the closest corner was within range 3, if I was only able to measure from within the firing arch to the closest part of the defending ships (which happened to NOT be the closest corner that that ship), I would have been outside of range 3.

So, if the closest corner happens to be outside the firing arch, does it still count as the closest corner and would I be able to attack?

P. 10 mentions just the closest corner for measuring distance (and nothing about those points having to being within the firing arch of the attacking ship). On the other hand, it seems odd to count the closest corner that is outside the firing arch. I’m guessing this would still be considered in range, and then I’d have to do the firing arch assessment, but I am not 100% sure and would appreciate people’s thoughts.

I'm guessing this has been addressed before, but I couldn't find it. So, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

El_Tonio said:

Range and firing arc are determined separately. Range is, as you said, determined by the closest points of each ships' base. And as long as any part of the target ship's base is inside your firing arc, you can target him.

Page 10, under Declare Target…Range:

To measure range, place the Range 1 end of the range ruler so that it touches the closest part of the attacker’s base. Then point the ruler toward the closest part of the target ship’s base that is inside the attacker’s firing arc . The lowest section (1, 2, or 3) of the ruler that overlaps the target ship’s base is considered the range between the ships.

This is something a lot of people miss - we were doing it wrong until very recently ourselves. But it's pretty clear - closest point that's within the firing arc.

Someone just got a response from FFG confirming that this line (shortest within the firing arc) is the one you use to determine if the shot is obstructed, as well.

Son of a gun. You're absolutely right. I'd never picked up on that before. {goes and crawls back under his rock}

Drat! I just read it and still missed it somehow. I think it is better that it works this way. Thanks!

It's a very easy rule to miss. Range measurement is mentioned in I think 3 or maybe even 4 places, and it's all closest-to-closest… except when you're attacking. I think a lot of people read the range measurement in Page 9, go "Duh, I know how to measure range" and skip the repeat on 10. That's what I did, anyway

Grimwalker posted an email he received about the issue also covered in the post " Firing arc problems ." - I too will crawl back under my rock.