Rear Arc

[GamerDad]

Not sure if the book clarifies this but we couldn't find a definitive way of determining front/rear arc for hex-based play.  Here are a few ideas that we've come across but not sure which is the correct one?

Option 1



Option 2



Option 3



Option 4



Option 5



Maybe some of our confusion is because we're sort of mixing up a little of CBT bias into AS??  Any help appreciated!

[Lanceman]

The diagram for hex-based firing arcs is on page 111 of Alpha Strike or Page 71 of the Commander's Edition. But you've essentially got it with Option 2 there.

[Weirdo]

Are you asking about the rear damage arc? Because that's, well Option 5 is the closest, but it's not 100%.

[nckestrel]

If the line from the center of the attacker to the center of the target goes through the rear hex side of the target's base, it's rear attack.  As Weirdo said, option 5 is the closest. If the line goes directly down the middle between rear hex side and the adjacent hex side, it's defender's choice (and defender presumably is going to decide it's not a rear attack).  So you've got two extra hexes include in option 5, the two widest to the left and right.

[nckestrel]

The diagram for hex-based firing arcs is on page 111 of Alpha Strike or Page 71 of the Commander's Edition. But you've essentially got it with Option 2 there.

Option 2 (and Option 1) is showing the opposite of the front firing arc, but that's not the same as rear attack.
Rear attack direction is not related to the firing arc.

[GamerDad]

The diagram for hex-based firing arcs is on page 111 of Alpha Strike or Page 71 of the Commander's Edition. But you've essentially got it with Option 2 there.

Thanks!  Totally missed that on the book!

Are you asking about the rear damage arc? Because that's, well Option 5 is the closest, but it's not 100%.

No, asking about front/rear arc for pew-pew, but I think I just realised that there is essentially a blind spot on either side where Mech A can't fire at Mech B (since Mech B is not in the front arc of Mech A) but Mech B's shots will still hit Mech A's front arc.

[GamerDad]

If the line from the center of the attacker to the center of the target goes through the rear hex side of the target's base, it's rear attack.  As Weirdo said, option 5 is the closest. If the line goes directly down the middle between rear hex side and the adjacent hex side, it's defender's choice (and defender presumably is going to decide it's not a rear attack).  So you've got two extra hexes include in option 5, the two widest to the left and right.

Option 2 (and Option 1) is showing the opposite of the front firing arc, but that's not the same as rear attack.
Rear attack direction is not related to the firing arc.

Eureka moment right now realising difference between arcs in terms of being able to shoot at an enemy or not vs. being it in the front or rear arc.  Thanks!