Is the Servo-arm a Weapon, since it is listed in the Melee Weapons section?

[TheNineteenth]

This controversy came up on our state-wide HH Discord.

A poster asked if a Servo-arm is a usable Melee Weapon (which it appears to be based on its presence in the Liber books Melee Weapons sections), including the proviso that it adds an extra attack with its profile stated there in that section.

My read is, RAW, yes, that it is a weapon and can be used for all a model's attacks (since its special rule only stipulates that it adds an additional attack with its stated profile, and none of the delicate strikes last with one attack complexity of prior editions), but RAI, maybe not (maybe the typesetters just goofed in listed it as a Melee Weapon (you can fight with as normal) and not a Wargear Item with a special conditional attack).

The poster also noted that it lacks Specialist Weapon, which in turn means that it is effectively a Power Fist that can enjoy the extra attack from two melee weapons, along with its additional attack that must use its stipulated profile.

[bluedestiny]

"model with a servo-arm may make a single additional attack in the Assault phase as well as any they would normally be
eligible to make, while a model with a machinator array makes two additional attacks in the Assault phase. These attacks
are made using the weapon profiles shown below."

 

Well RAW is 1 single attack.

[Gorgoff]

Page 138 by the way.

Clear as a day.

[Xenith]

4 hours ago, bluedestiny said:

a single additional attack in the Assault phase as well as any they would normally be eligible to make,

The question is whether they are eligible to choose the servo arm to make their other attacks with. C.F. chainswords in 40k: "Each time the bearer fights, it makes 1 additional attack with this weapon".

So yes, you get a single additional attack from a servo arm, compared to 2 from the array, however combat is fought in the same manner as shooting - where each model picks a weapon they are armed with, and make attacks with it. The Melee type means it can only be used in combat, which the servo arm has.

IMO RAW - you can use the servo for all attacks, however RAI is maybe just one. 

[Orange Knight]

That's a stretch.

To me the rules show that you can make 1 additional attack with the servo arm, on top of the other attacks you make with any other cc weapon.

Some of the HH rules are written in a confusing manner, but I don't feel this is one such example.

Edited September 10, 2022 by Orange Knight

[TheNineteenth]

On 9/9/2022 at 1:56 AM, bluedestiny said:

"model with a servo-arm may make a single additional attack in the Assault phase as well as any they would normally be
eligible to make, while a model with a machinator array makes two additional attacks in the Assault phase. These attacks
are made using the weapon profiles shown below."

 

Well RAW is 1 single attack.

The Servo Arm and Machinator Array are on the respective Unit Entries. They appear in the Weapons chapter under Melee. 

One would have to infer an intention that they only be used in the special case granting an additional attack, when no such language exists. That they grant (a) bonus attack(s) and must use the stated profile for those attacks is clear, yes.

That they're not usable Melee Weapons despite being listed as such (in the same section under the same heading as all other Melee Weapons) is something being inferred, because nowhere is it written. 

Edited September 15, 2022 by TheNineteenth

[Xenith]

10 hours ago, TheNineteenth said:

That they're not usable Melee Weapons despite being listed as such is something being inferred, because nowhere is it written. 

Yea, I think previous editions did a much better job of clarifying that the servo can only ever be used for a single attack, period. 

[Gorgoff]

Its rule say you make one attack with the servo arm and two with the array. Don't see why or how you will get more. It says the actual numbers of attacks you can make it with it.

Abd by the way. 

Quoting 40k rules to justify a very far streched "interpretation" is always a good sign of being wrong 

[Xenith]

14 hours ago, Gorgoff said:

Its rule say you make one attack with the servo arm and two with the array.

One could also say misquoting rules to your interpretation is also a good sign of being wrong :shrug:

[Gorgoff]

1 hour ago, Xenith said:

One could also say misquoting rules to your interpretation is also a good sign of being wrong :shrug:

I didn't misquoted. In fact I didn't quoted it all. I paraphrased it and said the rules say the servo arm makes one additional attack which they do. It also says that this additional attack is made with the profile below. Not every attack, not some attacks, no, it specifically tells you, that you get an additional attack and that this attack is made with said profile. So you couldn't use this extra attack for another CCW the model may have as well. It is locked to the servo arm profile.

I don't see the jiggeling room for other interpretations besides someone didn't read the rules completely or just skipped through them. 

[Gorgoff]

FAQ of Liber Mechanicum made it clear that I was wrong.

That means that for example an Iron Warriors Warsmith with double lightning claws has whooping 8 attacks on the sarge. 

[Brofist]

Its a surprising change, but yep, that's how it is now