Rules query - infantry providing cover for tanks

[knife&fork]

um....guys, you do know that range is useless with template allocation right? yes allocation is still used but templates have to cover the most models AND unless it has torant the short end must be touching the shooting model

 

It still matters because the units we are talking about often shoot 2 or 3 weapons with mixed AP values. In the case with the frag cannon there is also the whole thing about getting two hits per model covered since it's a two shot weapon. 

 

Let's say you pod down a frag dread with heavy flamer. Scatter is bad so after the disembark you can only cover a single enemy model with the templates. Even though you score 3 hits you could only cause a single casualty. The grapple on the other hand would extend that range to probably cover at least one more enemy model. 

 

The extra range (and mixed AP values) is also helpful when you are trying to force wounds of a particular S or AP value on a specific model hidden in a unit. Usually a character or independent character. 

 

As for the example of bolters extending the range of pistols I see that happen quite a bit when running a mixed unit of death company. 

[ScionsofLight]

i can see trying to target enough to kill the ones you want to kill but you can't pick who gets the wound without precision shot so having 4 hits from a heavy flamer and 1 with a twin linked autocannon (example) you are still only going to force saves on the first "5" models

 

no ifs ands or buts about it precision shots are the only thing that will get what you are talking about in your example otherwise you will need something the Guard have perfected - Bucket o' Die

[Memento Of Prospero]

i can see trying to target enough to kill the ones you want to kill but you can't pick who gets the wound without precision shot so having 4 hits from a heavy flamer and 1 with a twin linked autocannon (example) you are still only going to force saves on the first "5" models

 

no ifs ands or buts about it precision shots are the only thing that will get what you are talking about in your example otherwise you will need something the Guard have perfected - Bucket o' Die

 

You are missing the point entirely. When a Dreadnought has 3 templates, it can generate more wounds than the amount of models the templates cover. Extending the killzone makes sure you don't waste any of those wounds, and kill outside of the template's range. that's all there is to it. The shooter still dictates in wich order the shots are taken. so you can have the heavy flamer kill the meat shield, and have the now expose character taking the rending hits from the frag cannons.