Ruleshammer 40k Q&A: November 26th 2021

Welcome to Ruleshammer, a collection of resources to help explain the detail and complexity of some of the more confusing rules in Warhammer 40k. This week we’re covering some more questions submitted by you, the readers, and our patrons on the Goonhammer Discord.

Black Templars - Update - Devout Push

A quick update to start us off, but as of the latest FAQ Black Templars can no longer use the Devout Push push movement to embark into the "penance wagon" any more.

Page 46 – Devout Push Add the following to the end of the first bullet point: ‘That unit cannot use this move to embark within a Transport model.’

I don't know how wide spread this actually ever was but the rule change prevents it. Something worth noting is that this is a specific limitation on Devout Push as a Stratagem. This clarifies that the models were ending their move closer and then embarking as was written.

Previous Answer

Q: Hello. We had a strong debate about the new devote push ability. During the fight phase à black templar unit can do a Normal Move to the closest enemy or the closest objective. May the unit use this ability to embark in a transport ? Thank you your help!

So this one seems pretty odd both before and after the explanation, like it's not in the spirit of the rule as such but yes a unit that makes a normal move with devout push can, rules as written, embark. The reason this works is because of when embarking happens. The devout push stratagem says this

If the unit is not with Engagement Range of an enemy unit, make a Normal Move of up to 3" with that unit. It must end this move closer to the closest enemy unit or closer to the closest objective marker.

So you move the unit and they must end that move closer to the enemy or an objective. So you check they've done that when the move has ended. Then the embark rules are used.

EMBARK If a unit makes a Normal Move, an Advance or it Falls Back, and every model in that unit ends that move within 3" of a friendly Transport model they can embark within it. . A unit cannot embark within a Transport model that is within Engagement Range of enemy models, and it cannot embark if it has already disembarked from a Transport model in the same phase

So if a unit has ended the move both closer to the enemy or an objective, and also so that every model is within 3" then they can embark. This happens after satisfying the conditions of the move required by Devout Push. Also because disembarking happens in the movement phase (other than when a transport is destroyed in the fight phase) a unit can disembark then, and then use Devout Push to embark in the fight phase.

One other thing to note about Devout push that makes this far more likely to be feasible is that unline a pile in move the rule only requires that the "unit" end the move closer to the closest enemy unit or closest objective marker. Rather than requiring every model end the move closer. So long as the distance between one model in the unit and one of the required locations is less than the minimum measured before you the move then this is allowed.

I drew a Rhino for that diagram and everything.

Death Guard - Inexorable Advance and Actions

This one game up at the latest GW event.

Q: Can a Death Guard unit with the Inexorable Advance rule Advance and then start an action in the same turn/Movement phase?

The short answer is "no," but you won't find that from any of the rules involved. Unlike most "Remain Stationary" rules, it's not for a specific phase such as "can Shoot as if it has remained stationary." Inexorable Advance works for the entire turn based on the previous movement phase.

This unit counts as having Remained Stationary if it did not Fall Back or Advance in your previous Movement phase.

However the Remain Stationary FAQ blocks this rule from allowing a unit to perform an action.

8) Even if a unit is subject to such a rule, it cannot start an action if it has Advanced or Fallen Back this turn.

It would be nice to see this line added to the Actions section of the rules in a future Chapter Approved, the number of Rare Rules that aren't reflected in the main rules text is not quite significant.

Tyranids - Synaptic Link and Aura blocking abilities

Q: Can an Aura denying ability block access to Synaptic link?

This one really caused a stir here at Goonhammer HQ. Synaptic Link we agreed pretty quickly is not an Aura but that just led to more questions;

Is Synaptic Link tied intrinsically to the Synapse Ability
Is the Synapse Ability an Aura?

So fortunately the answer to question 1 made 2 less necessary to solve. Synaptic Link is not tied to Synapse at all, it's just using a lot of the same numbers and similar words.

Synaptic Link Abilities Synaptic Link Abilities are a new type of Ability and are labelled with the tag 'Synaptic Link', for example 'Master of the Shadows (Synaptic Link)'.

These abilities can effect friendly units within Synaptic Link Range, as described on the page opposite.

To use a Synaptic Link Ability, in your command phase, select one Friend <HIVE FLEET> unit that has not been selected a Synaptic Link about this turn, and that is wihtin Synaptic Link Range of the <HIVE FLEET> SYNAPSE unit that is using the ability...

So it does use the SYNAPSE keyword but that's the only link between the two, this also means that abilities that extend the range of the Synapse ability have no effect on Synaptic Link Range. They are both 12" by default but that's where the similarities end. As such you can't block Synaptic Link abilities with Aura blocking ones.

What about question 2 though - is the Synapse Ability an Aura?

Well I think the conclusion we came to on this was actually, we don't know. It doesn't follow the patterns of other auras we know about so far, but it's also an early 8th edition Codex ability and those tend to have less... standardized wording.

SYNAPSE <HIVE FLEET> units automatically pass Morale tests if they are within 12" of any friendly <HIVE FLEET> units with this ability.

The main difference here is how it's constructed to function; it's not "while <HIVE FLEET> units are within 12" they automatically pass morale" it's "if you are within 12" of a unit with the ability then you auto pass morale". It reminds me of the Necron Protocol rules.

...while a unit that is eligible to benefit from this ability is within 6" of a friendly NECRONS CHARACTER model (excluding C’TAN SHARD models), that unit benefits from the selected directive.

Both are rules that "turn on" while within range of a specific type of unit. Synapse is a bit odder that the units it affects don't have the ability though. We didn't reach a conclusion on this other than "this is a really oddly written rule." By that token so are Instinctive Behaviour and Shadow of the Warp. Though Instinctive Behaviour is even closer mechanically to the Necron Protocol rules as the affected units have the ability this time, making me more confidently able to say Instinctive Behaviour is not an Aura.

What about Synapse then? I think it's a very borderline rule that I don't think I can categorise with any level of certainty. So unfortunately if your opponent has an Aura limiting ability I'd recommend having a discussion pregame on Synapse and how it will interact with that ability for your game.

My Personal Take: I'd be inclined to let a Tyranid player have it not count as an Aura, partially because of the ambiguous wording but also because of how intrinsic Synapse is as a concept for Tyranids. Disabling it would be very significant, more so than a normal aura.

Credit: Games Workshop

Tau - Do Interceptor Drones have the Flyer Battlefield Role?

Q: What role do Interceptor Drones have and can they be used with the Fire Storm Stratagem?

I want to preface the answer to this with: Don't actually do this. I seriously doubt GW intended for this when writing the Fire Storm Stratagem. I'd put money on the fact that they forgot.

So with that said, Tau Drones are weird. Accompanying Drones interact with a whole bunch of rules in odd ways, such as counting as part of a unit for determining it's points cost for To The Last but then not being part of the unit for the purposes of scoring To The Last. One other notable way is how Tau Drones inherit battlefield roles.

ACCOMPANYING DRONES Many T’au Empire datasheets allow units to be accompanied by Drones. In such instances, unless stated otherwise, all wargear options only apply to the unit that is being accompanied by Drones, and not to the Drones themselves. After deployment, units of accompanying Drones are treated as having the Battlefield Role of the unit they accompany, and are considered to have a Power Rating of 0.

This makes the Interceptor Drones that accompany a Sun Shark Bomber, Flyer Battlefield Role units. Which would let them be chosen units, assuming they are disembarked, for Fire Storm.

Use this Stratagem at the end of your Movement phase. Select up to three T’AU EMPIRE units with the Flyer Battlefield Role from your army. This Stratagem costs 1 additional Command Point for each selected unit. Roll one D6 for each enemy unit within 3" of any of those selected units. On a 4+ that enemy unit suffers D3 mortal wounds.

It's not the first time this odd rule has lead to a weird interaction though. For instance Space Marines in 8th edition had access to a Maelstrom Objective that awarded VP for kill enemy units with the Transport Battlefield role. Which is the role Gun Drones accompanying a Tau Devilfish inherit... yeah, that was a weird one.

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