Seraphim pistols and shooting into combat

[bkde]

Situation came up the other day. My eversor and my opponents unit were in combat. I landed the seraphim next to the unit (3") away. Can they shoot pistols at the model engaged in combat? Or can they only shoot if they themselves were tied up in combat in my shooting phase. Thanks!

[Montford]

They may only fire pistols into a melee/combat in a shooting phase if they themselves are engaged in the melee/combat.

[ValourousHeart]

That isn't how I read the rule.

 

Pistols can fire even if the unit is within 1 inch of an enemy unit.

Pistols must fire at the closest unit.

Pistols can shoot an enemy unit even if friendly models are within 1 inch.

Models must choose to only fire pistols, or fire every other weapon they have.

 

So in the OP example, the seraphim can fire at the enemy unit as long as it is the closest target.

[Commander Dawnstar]

"A model can fire a Pistol even if there are enemy units within 1" of its own unit, but it must target the closet enemy unit. In such circumstances, the model can shoot its Pistol even if other friendly units are within 1" of the same enemy unit."

 

The rules are very specific that you can only target enemy units within 1" of other friendly units if your unit is also within 1" of said enemy unit.

Edited November 10, 2017 by Commander Dawnstar

[Montford]

That isn't how I read the rule.

 

Pistols can fire even if the unit is within 1 inch of an enemy unit.

Pistols must fire at the closest unit.

Pistols can shoot an enemy unit even if friendly models are within 1 inch.

Models must choose to only fire pistols, or fire every other weapon they have.

 

So in the OP example, the seraphim can fire at the enemy unit as long as it is the closest target.

 

Commander Dawnstar is correct, and I'll just add that you are never within 1 inch of an enemy model unless you are engaged in a Fight with it. Ergo, a Unit may only fire pistols into a melee/combat in a shooting phase if they themselves are engaged in the melee/combat

[bkde]

Yeah it was the "in such circumstances" part that tripped me up too. Thanks for all the clarifications!

[Dr_Ruminahui]

That isn't how I read the rule.

 

Pistols can fire even if the unit is within 1 inch of an enemy unit.

Pistols must fire at the closest unit.

Pistols can shoot an enemy unit even if friendly models are within 1 inch.

Models must choose to only fire pistols, or fire every other weapon they have.

 

So in the OP example, the seraphim can fire at the enemy unit as long as it is the closest target.

 

As a note, you only have to fire at the closest enemy with a pistol if the model`s unit is in melee - otherwise, you follow the normal targeting restrictions, and do not need to shoot at the closest target.

[ValourousHeart]

Well then, I guess I have been playing that wrong.

I was treating pistols like smite, where they had to target the closest enemy even if not in CC.