Author Topic: (Answered) Sylph BA, Anti-Mech Attacks, and Disembarking  (Read 815 times)

ThePPCMightier

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I checked back through a few pages here and did not see a ruling addressing these directly. The Sylph http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/8587/sylph-battle-armor-sqd5 has the VTOL (v) movement type, which according to pg. 45 of the rulebook under "Physical Attacks":
Quote
Units that used VTOL, WiGE, or aerospace movement this turn may not make physical attacks.
However, the unit also has the AM (Anti-mech) ability, which as per the above it could not use unless they were landed and not moving that turn, which obviously makes the ability a niche case use at best and seems like an odd ability to include, as the Sylph is armed with a Battle Claw in BT. How do these two rules interact?

Additionally, Sylphs can be carried by omnimechs like other battle armor. When they disembark, do they have to disembark at ground level with their carrier mech (ie altitude 0" and thus would have to take off to altitude 1" to move further) or can they disembark at a given altitude? The rulebook only states that:
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Dismounted units must be placed in base-to base contact with the transport and in terrain not prohibited to the dismounting unit, including any elevation change.
I am assuming that they have to start at ground level in order to fulfill the requirement for 'base-to-base contact' but I figured I'd double check for clarity.
« Last Edit: 31 August 2024, 21:27:49 by nckestrel »

nckestrel

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Re: Sylph BA, Anti-Mech Attacks, and Disembarking
« Reply #1 on: 21 August 2024, 21:44:04 »
The conversion rules don't take into account how useful or appropriate an ability is.  Having Anti-'Mech doesn't mean the unit has to be effective using it.
A Sylph cannot make an anti-'Mech attack unless by some miracle it has an appropriate target even after it doesn't move that turn.

Dismounting Sylphs should be placed at the same initial elevation as the transport. Assuming the transport is at 0" elevation, the dismounting Sylph would be at 0" elevation after dismounting.
Alpha Strike Introduction resources
Left of Center blog - Tukayyid Expanded Random Unit Tables, Nashira Campaign for A Game of Armored Combat, TP 3039 Vega Supplemental Record Sheets

ThePPCMightier

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Re: Sylph BA, Anti-Mech Attacks, and Disembarking
« Reply #2 on: 21 August 2024, 22:18:20 »
The conversion rules don't take into account how useful or appropriate an ability is.  Having Anti-'Mech doesn't mean the unit has to be effective using it.
A Sylph cannot make an anti-'Mech attack unless by some miracle it has an appropriate target even after it doesn't move that turn.
Does the conversion formula take this into account, or is the Sylphs' PV value artificially high because of an ability it cannot use? I understand the idea of helicopters not being able to use melee attacks, but infantry with VTOL movement can't be excepted from the physical attack rule?