(Answered) NARC-directed indirect fire and terrain modifiers

[Lyran Archer]

This problem came up in a game I had today.

I was firing my Archer's NARC-guided missiles indirectly onto an enemy 'Mech which had a NARC homing beacon attached to it. He said that his 'Mech got cover from the woods it was in, but the rules for indirect fire clearly state (on page 111 of TW) that terrain modifiers are "based on line of sight from the spotting unit". Since NARC-guided indirect fire negates the need for any spotter I said that his 'Mech obviously didn't get cover from the woods. He said that 'Mechs always get cover from the woods they are in regardless.

Here's a scenario to illustrate our disagreement:



Now, the Archer and Wasp can't see each other because of the intervening level 5 hill. The Wasp has been hit by a NARC homing beacon previously and has jumped 6 hexes into the woods. The Archer does not move and fires its LRMs indirectly, guided to the Wasp by the NARC beacon.

I would say my Archer needs a 10 to hit:  4 (gunnery) + 2 (medium range) + 1 (indirect) + 3 (target movement modifier)

My friend would say my Archer needs a 11 to hit:  4 (gunnery) + 2 (medium range) + 1 (indirect) + 3 (target movement modifier) + 1 (light woods)

The rules seem explicitly stated and I don't understand his argument. 

Who is correct?

[Chunga]

Great question. Researching.

I do believe you're missing the +1 for Indirect Fire though. That is a base modifier to the attack and NARC doesn't remove that.

[Lyran Archer]

Great question. Researching.

I do believe you're missing the +1 for Indirect Fire though. That is a base modifier to the attack and NARC doesn't remove that.

Sorry, I keep mixing it up with TAG which does remove the indirect modifier. I'll change that.

[Chunga]

We have discussed it and we're going to say you're correct. As written, the Target Terrain Modifier is part of the Spotting process and since we're removing that, the TTM is removed also. Call it a perk of NARC.