Author Topic: (Answered) Oblique Attacker & Oblique Artilleryman questions  (Read 2441 times)

SC_Dave

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Hi,

From page 55 of the Alpha Strike Companion (under Oblique Attacker) it is stated:

Quote
Darting behind cover can’t save an enemy from this warrior’s artillery and missile fire. This unit receives a –1 to-hit modifier for attacks using ART or IF special abilities, and may even make indirect fire attacks without a friendly spotter. If attempting to use indirect fire without a friendly spotter, however, the unit trades its –1 to-hit modifier for a +2 to-hit modifier (which replaces any and all spotter-related modifiers).

in addition, on page 152, the following is stated:
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Fire Support Lance Requirements: To serve as a Fire Support Lance, at least 3 units in this formation must possess the Indirect Fire (IF#) special ability.
Bonus Ability: At the beginning of each turn, up to 2 Fire Support Lance units may receive the Oblique Attacker Special Pilot Ability (see p. 55), which will affect their indirect weapon attacks during that turn.

First question: Can a unit with the Oblique Attacker SPA, and making an attack using an ART special, make a direct fire attack and receive a -1 to-hit modifier, or is the -1 with an ART special for indirect fire attacks only?
(The first quote is not clear on whether an ART attack needs to be an indirect attack for the -1 to-hit. When read in conjunction with the rules for a fire support lance (which states "will affect their indirect weapon attacks during that turn" the implication is that the Oblique Attacker affects indirect fire with ART only).

With regard to Oblique Artilleryman, the following is stated on page 55 of the Alpha Strike Companion:
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The Oblique Artilleryman SPA represents a gunner whose accuracy with indirect artillery weapons is downright uncanny. A unit benefiting whose gunner possesses this
special pilot ability receives an additional –1 to-hit modifier for attacks using any ART special abilities. Furthermore, the scatter distance for any artillery shells that do miss their target is reduced by 2 inches (to a minimum of 0 inches).

Second question: For a unit with the Oblique Artilleryman SPA does the -1 to-hit modifier apply to both direct and indirect attacks using an ART special ability?
(The wording "a gunner whose accuracy with indirect artillery weapons is downright uncanny" creates some confusion. I'm assuming it is "fluff" text for the
SPA and the -1 to-hit modifier applies to both direct and indirect attacks - but that may not be so.)

« Last Edit: 13 March 2017, 09:05:53 by nckestrel »

nckestrel

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Re: Oblique Attacker & Oblique Artilleryman questions
« Reply #1 on: 13 March 2017, 09:05:35 »
Both affect any ART attacks, including direct fire.
Alpha Strike Introduction resources
Left of Center blog - Nashira Campaign for A Game of Armored Combat, TP 3039 Vega Supplemental Record Sheets