Firing into close combat

[Greybishop]

Greetings Brothers,

 

I did a search and did not see anything that answered my question (looked at 2 pages though my search fu might just be weak).

 

Back in 4th addition I was playing a game against 2 brothers at my local GW. At one point the two brothers got into close combat and I saw this as the perfect chance to get both with 1 shot. We had a red shirt hovering around (because it was the brothers first game) and he told me that I could not fire into a melee even if my troops were not in the combat as well. This made me rather sad, it was there looking me in the face and yet I could not act.

 

Well I got my 5th addition book today (yay ^__^) and I was reading the assault rules. Now it states the standard cc rules. However the last little part states that models don't take the regular tests being shot at when in melee due to the fight.

 

This got me thinking, does this mean I can finally shoot at my enemies who decide its fun to fight in the middle of an open meadow? Or is this just for floating pie plates that might drift over onto the melee? Or Both?

 

Thanks,

Grey

[Todosi]

If you are playing more than two players you are already playing with house rules. The written rules are designed for two players only. So you'll have to decide amongst your group how to play it.

[Doctor Thunder]

Todosi is correct.

[Greybishop]

Well that's a relief to know that. The redshirt was just using some weird pseudo.. well normal rules stretched out for more people. Sorry to bother you with this Brothers

[Onisuzume]

As stated above; house rules.

 

Though I'd say that you'd randomize the hits between the combatants.

Which could also go for your own troops if engaged in closse combat and you still want to fire into that combat.

 

Lets say your tactical squad fires its 10 bolters (enemy 15" away) and 7 of them hit.

You'd then decide what determines which side is hit per shot. (1-3 for side A and 4-6 for side B, even/uneven split, etc.)

Allocate hits to the units, and then proceed as normal with the rules for shooting.

 

So in a 2-player game, you could be especially unlucky and hit almost exclusively your own unit.

[SeattleDV8]

Well if you look in the back of the 5th BBB you will find a 3 way battle and special rules for it. In that setup you are allowed to fire into CC if your troops are not involved. roll to hit and randomize wounds. Also had a different way figuring player turns. Fun

[werewolf_nr]

I agree w/ Todosai about it already being house rules. You may also want to consider the effect of having 3 players in a single close combat. As more players pile in, the faster the combat would go (each player's models would get their attacks on each other players turn) if your troops got attacks in each assault phase of each players turn. Our house rule is that your troops may only attack in 1 assault phase and on your turn.