Deathstrike Missile Question

[Lathe Biosas]

Okay, we had a problem with how the Imperial Guard's Deathstrike Missile works today, and we can't find a legitimate answer. 

 

So, here's what happened. The targeting rules are a little bizarre for the missile:

 

Spoiler

Deathstrike Missile: In your Shooting phase, each time this model is selected to shoot, if it has not shot with its Deathstrike missile this battle, you can do one of the following in addition to resolving this model’s ranged attacks:

 

Designate Target: If this model does not have a Deathstrike Target marker on the battlefield, place a unique Deathstrike Target marker for this model anywhere on the battlefield.

 

Adjust Target: If this model has a Deathstrike Target marker on the battlefield, move that marker to anywhere else on the battlefield.

 

 

But the Missile's controller placed a marker on the second level of a three floor structure with enemy ratling snipers on the third floor and a Command Squad on the first floor.

 

The next turn he fired the missile:

 

 

Quote

Plasma Warhead: The bearer can only shoot with this weapon in your Shooting phase, and only if it Remained Stationary this turn and you did not use its Deathstrike Missile ability to Designate Target or Adjust Target this phase. When the bearer shoots with this weapon, do not select a target. Instead, resolve this weapon’s attacks, rolling for each unit within 6" of the centre of its Deathstrike Target marker individually.

 

And that's the question. Is it each unit within 6" horizontally from the center or is it within 6" horizontally and vertically?

 

Did he hit the ratling snipers on the 3rd floor and the command squad on the first,  or did he miss them because the marker was on the second floor?

 

Thank you.

[Tawnis]

Since it does not specify horizontally, I would rule it as 6" in any direction. This feels like what makes the most sense both thematically and RAW. 

[Kommisar_K]

   I agree with Tawnis for the same reasons he listed. I think usually GW specifies what they mean with an 'aura' strike or ability, so when they don't it's safe to assume it covers the greatest possible area.

   Also for lore justification we can look at the description of deathstrike missile detonations in BL books. In Steel Tread, a plasma warhead rips through multiple floors of a building, and somewhere in the Soul Drinkers books, iirc, a vortex missile leaves a big spherical hole in a hive city. 

[kabaakaba]

For some reason I'm sure there is paragraph in rules commentary. I thing I should strike everything horizontally from center of marker regardless vertical distance like a templates was be. Like no mater ho high unit is it would be damaged.

[kabaakaba]

Rechecked 10th and 11th commentary and faction packs. There sis nothing on plasma warhead so should RAW and measure 6" from marker in all directions.