Parman - Buff question

[willyc]

I have already read the thread about Parman and the debate over the ability to activate another grid after he moves, which seems acceptable.

However, our resident rules lawyer came up with something else.

We play the buff gives the ability to all units in the grid Parman is in Rapid Assault and we had taken that any rapid assault movement would be at that units base speed eg infantry move 1.

However on the cards and reference sheet (unlike the rules illustration) it shows he has Buff Rapid Assault (3). Our barrack(ing) room lawyer argues that all of this line is the buff and as per the First Rule that any ability overrides the norm then any unit with Parman gets to RA with a movement of three.

Even better if he starts on duckboards any infantry in the same grid get to move 4 (3 RA plus their inate Runner +1 bonus). Then using an answer from Ted about the use of Runner and duckboards in an earlier thread argues that this can be into any grids - immediate Leeeroy Jenkins???

That is infantry what about Pounders jumping forward 3 spaces and firing??

Okay we have ruled that this is a "typo" and play as we first thought.

Does this need tidying up - Parman should read Buff RA but should also have a line added "Special RA (+3)"?

(Even if it is a light wargame, some people must win at all costs......)

 

[hithero]

My take is that the Buff is Rapid Assault (3) so any units with Parman get to move up to 3 and then attack. The infantry's buff is not added as Runner adds to their move rate, you are not using their move rate in a Rapid Assault.

 

[Bubo]

My take is that the Buff is Rapid Assault (3) so any units with Parman get to move up to 3 and then attack. The infantry's buff is not added as Runner adds to their move rate, you are not using their move rate in a Rapid Assault.

i'll second this, and add that i think each unit can rapid assault to their own grids.

 

[WTFGamer]

i'll second this, and add that i think each unit can rapid assault to their own grids.

I also agree, but here's where things get sticky. Depending on how Ted and his team vote on rapid assault needing or not needing a target, you might need to be careful not to run out of targets and strand a unit you might have wanted grouped with others after combat.

This possible level of depth is why I hope Rapid Assault ends up requiring a target in the end.

 

[hithero]

I also agree, but here's where things get sticky. Depending on how Ted and his team vote on rapid assault needing or not needing a target, you might need to be careful not to run out of targets and strand a unit you might have wanted grouped with others after combat.

This possible level of depth is why I hope Rapid Assault ends up requiring a target in the end.

Well it should do. The Buff is in the combat phase and is a combat buff not a movement buff, to make an attack and activate in this phase you have to have an legitimate target.

 

[Loophole Master]

I agree with the assessment that the +1 to the infantry move granted by Runner gets ignored when they use Rapid Assault, since that ability specifically state exactly how many Movement Points they can use.

 

[willyc]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I want to get a few more games under my belt and see how much this effects balance. If Parman does confer RA at 3 movement this in itself is very powerful, as mentioned for infantry yes but consider "pounders" as well - you are well out of range and then suddenly, they can hardly be classed as quick attack troops. If the condition is no attack is required this becomes even greater - personally I see nothing to say I cannot "attack" an empty grid in range.

So with that in mind, I still think the Buff of RA on its own is enough - which the rulebook illustration seems to support

As for the Runner ability, again I am not convinced. A corresponding special ability of Tank Shock receive an additional boost if buffed, so the inference is the special and buff are added together?

Any regular Blightun players got a view on this and was it difficult to play against?

 

[donnbobhardy]

My view is that:
A) Parman confers the buff on both his starting and ending grid (which is unbeneficial if you have already activated the ending grid). That's kind of the definition of a buff instead of an ability, in that it's always on.
B) You must make an attack on an enemy unit in order to use this ability. (Rules about range state that you "can only attack an enemy in a grid that is within its range", not a grid within range).
C) RA and Runner do not stack, as one is a combat phase ability and the other is a movement phase ability.

I think this matches the intent of the rules as opposed to "the rules don't say I CAN'T so I CAN" mentality.

However, I'm not sure this discussion has much merit. Ted will eventually come down with a ruling from on high. Those that agree with it will do it his way and everyone else will house-rule it the other way.