A Nicassar Dhow has a speed of 20cm and a turn rate of 180 degrees. During the Tau player's turn, a squadron of Dhows moves 10cm, turns 180 degrees, and then moves 10cm, ending up right where they started (albeit turned around). During the opponent's turn, the Dhows are targeted by a weapon that uses the Gunnery Table. Which of the following is true?
A. Because the Dhows moved 10cm in one direction, and then 10cm in the opposite direction, their total displacement is zero, which means they moved a total of less than 5cm. As such, they count as Defences on the Gunnery Table.
B. The Dhows moved their maximum distance. Although the two halves of their movement were in opposite directions, their total movement was 20cm. As such, they use the column on the Gunnery Table appropriate to an Escort of their facing.
I'd say RAW that option A is correct, but this is clearly against the spirit of the 5cm movement rule. That rule was meant to penalize units moving so slowly that they would be easy to hit. These Dhows would be moving back and forth rapidly, and as such should be as hard to hit as a normal ship. Also, this scenario could be repeated by any other Escort with a 90 degree turn on Come To A New Heading, as they could move 1/2 their distance, turn, turn again, and move back to where they started. Logically, option B would be more fair to the Tau player.
Thoughts?
