WiGE Rules

[Maelwys]

So a recent issue has left me with a couple of questions when it comes to WiGE's.

Can they land on their own, at will.?

I know that the rules say that the WiGE will land if you move less than 5 hexes in a turn (other than the turn it takes off on that is) and that it costs 0 MP to land...but it doesn't specifically say that it can land at will.

For example, can I move my WiGE 7 hexes (past the 5 hex minimum to remain airborne) and then just decide to land?

Heck, for that matter, can I land, and then take off again?

[Martius]

As long as you got the MPs why not?

[Fireangel]

So a recent issue has left me with a couple of questions when it comes to WiGE's.

Can they land on their own, at will.?

Yes.

I know that the rules say that the WiGE will land if you move less than 5 hexes in a turn (other than the turn it takes off on that is) and that it costs 0 MP to land...but it doesn't specifically say that it can land at will.

For example, can I move my WiGE 7 hexes (past the 5 hex minimum to remain airborne) and then just decide to land?

Yes. It is implicit in the rule (TW pp. 55); you need a minimum of 5 hexes to remain airborne, but no maximum is mentioned nor required. Thus, you can indeed move 5+ hexes at speed and land at the end of your turn, following the rules and restrictions on landing terrain.

Heck, for that matter, can I land, and then take off again?

Yes, provided you have enough MP to do so. There is not much practical benefit to doing this, given that while landed it cannot make use of its 1 hover MP (that requires starting the turn landed). The only reason I can think of would be to remain airborne while moving less than 5 hexes forward (move one forward [1 MP], land [0 MP], take off [5 MP]). Conceptually, this could be fluffed as simply muscling the WiGE's engine into keeping the craft in the air despite lack of airflow.

[Moonsword]

I can think of one possible scenario: loading troops and then getting airborne again for the +1 bonus.  Fensalirs can't actually do that and Hiryos are going to have some challenges but a Pandion's fast enough to probably pull that off without completely shooting its TMM in the head.

[Demos]

I can think of one possible scenario: loading troops and then getting airborne again for the +1 bonus. 

IIRC troops can only be unloaded at the end of the movement turn, TW, p. 224 'Dismounting'.
But if you have jump infantry they could/should disembark in flight mode. Unfortunately Maelwys had Kopis BA!?  :D

EDIT: added page of TW

[Moonsword]

I was talking about loading, but yes, end of movement applies on both sides.

The in-flight unloading rules actually only apply to VTOLs.  It specifically says "Dismounting From VTOLs".  WiGEs can unload anything from the air.

[MEP]

I was talking about loading, but yes, end of movement applies on both sides.

The in-flight unloading rules actually only apply to VTOLs.  It specifically says "Dismounting From VTOLs".  WiGEs can unload anything from the air.

That seems really backward to me. What about troops rappelling out of a helicopter? House rule or to the rules forums?

[JadeHellbringer]

That seems really backward to me. What about troops rappelling out of a helicopter? House rule or to the rules forums?

I admit, I haven't done a lot of rapelling, but doing it from a hovering Karnov seems a hell of a lot easier in theory than trying to from a WIGE moving a hundred-odd knots.

[Moonsword]

I admit, I haven't done a lot of rapelling, but doing it from a hovering Karnov seems a hell of a lot easier in theory than trying to from a WIGE moving a hundred-odd knots.

That... doesn't sound healthy.  Granted, the Pandion tops out at ~87.5 knots in level flight.  Using optional rules you can push it a little harder in the right terrain, though I don't really recommend kicking the troops out the back under those conditions, either.

As far as it goes, personally, I'd use the same restrictions as VTOLs on the WiGEs.

[JadeHellbringer]

Still, 'tuck and roll' doesn't sound fun in a heavy suit of armor at 87.5 knots either. And that's really the only option at that point- you don't get enough altitude for parachuting, you don't have jump jets, and your carrier can't stop to drop you off. Bad combo.

[Moonsword]

Still, 'tuck and roll' doesn't sound fun in a heavy suit of armor at 87.5 knots either. And that's really the only option at that point- you don't get enough altitude for parachuting, you don't have jump jets, and your carrier can't stop to drop you off. Bad combo.

This is all sounding like a worse and worse idea.  I wasn't really trying to argue with you, either, just thought benchmarking the speeds might be interesting to know.  Google's unit converter is a handy thing.

That "right terrain" involves a consistent down slope.  I'm not sure tuck and roll won't involve tucking and rolling halfway down the hill in a situation like that.

[JadeHellbringer]

This is all sounding like a worse and worse idea.  I wasn't really trying to argue with you, either, just thought benchmarking the speeds might be interesting to know.  Google's unit converter is a handy thing.

That "right terrain" involves a consistent down slope.  I'm not sure tuck and roll won't involve tucking and rolling halfway down the hill in a situation like that.

Sorry, no argument intended at all- more agreeing with you. This will end poorly for all involved.

On the bright side, might be a fun way to deal with penal troops. Jump out the door, try to hit that Enfield in the woods there, and see if you can knock it down!