A few questions about Eldar vulnerabilities

[Hrothgar]

After seeing a Tau player being torn apart by Eldar and receiving a beating myself, I had another hard look at the Eldar special rules. (seriously, whoever thought it would be fun to play against Locked On Pulsar Lances???)

I noticed a few situations in which Eldar ships might be extra vulnerable, or at least tactics which the Eldar player used which I thought were illegal:

- Gas/dust clouds: the Eldar player moved into one of these (passing his LD test) with his first move, but then he opted not move at all during his Ordnance phase move, stating that if he didn't move he didn't have to test for LD and damage at all.
Theoretically, the same could apply for Blast markers. If you don't move, do you have to test for damage when in base contact with Blast markers? This hinges on your interpretation of the word "test when encountering Blast markers"

- Somewhat related, normal ships count as Defences if they do not move (for instance, when in the Gravity well of a planet), making them very vulnerable to shooting. Page 24 of FAQ 2010 seems to indicate this applies for Eldar as well: "Note: All Eldar ships still fall under the restriction that if a ship moves less than 5cm it counts as a defence for shooting purposes." However, the crucial question is whether an Eldar ship needs to move 5cm in each of its two movement phases, so moving at least 10cm every turn (like other ships), or whether it only has to move a minimum of 5cm in one of its movement phases, and moving 0cm in one of the others?

- Page 25 of the FAQ 2010: "When coming in base contact with any enemy ordnance, they may re-roll a failed holofield save (the second roll stands). This effect only works against attack craft, and markers that behave only as fighters are still ignored normally." However, what is included in "attack craft"? Bombers probably. But assault boats? And torpedoes?

Thanks in advance.

[AndrewChristlieb]

You only test for damage if you move through the blast marker so yes if he sits still he will not have to test. That blast marker will also never go away so... He is eiter going to be a sitting target or risk the 1/6 chance of a hit.

They still only have to move 5cm total in their turn so not 5cm per movement.

I dont see that part about rerolling holofields in the FAQ. On pg24 it says that you only roll once against each hit by ordinance.

[horizon]

Andrew is correct.
Holofields do not re-roll vs enemy ordnance.

(Just read the FAQ).

[Hrothgar]

Sorry, I should have added that the reroll against ordnance only applies to Craftworld Eldar escort Shadowhunters.

Concerning the movement limitations, if other ships have to move at least 10cm during their turn, wouldn't it be more logical if the Eldar have to move at least 5cm in each of their movements (so a combined total of 10cm as well) to avoid counting as defences?

[horizon]

Hey,
Shadow hunters new rule, aye. Correct. I hate that rule and do not use it. Well we use mms anyway.

All ships, including eldar:
If movement is 5cm or lower that count as a defence.

I think what may confuse you is that all ships, except eldar, have to move at least half speed per turn.Plus that other races except eldar must move at least 10cm before turning.
Unless you go on burn retros, in which case they may go slower then half speed, but the minimum distance before turning still applies.

[Hrothgar]

Yes, but Eldar ships may make two moves during their turn. Do you use both moves to determine if the Eldar ship moves less than 5cm and thus count as Defences?


If an Eldar ship moves 0cm in its first move and 0cm in its second, its clear that it counts as Defences.

But what if an Eldar ship moves 20cm in its first move and then moves 0-4 cm in its second move? Does it count as Defences?

[Islacrusez]

Unless you go on burn retros, in which case they may go slower then half speed, but the minimum distance before turning still applies.

Incorrect, surely? When using burn retros the min move distance is negated. When using come to new heading it still applies, and for both turns.

[horizon]

Woops, isla is correct on the BR.


Eldar only count as defences if their total movement in both moves is below five.