Ranged Attacks and Obstacles "In the Way"

Rhino · 02-06-2023, 11:06 AM

Exploits at p.42 provides:

"Then there’s the question of line of fire. You can target an
enemy if you can draw a straight line between any part of your
hex and any part of your foe’s without passing through a solid
obstacle."

"If your line of fire passes through an occupied hex, the
occupants – friend or foe – are “in the way.” Each such hex
gives you ‑4 to hit. However, if your attack passes along a line
between two hexes, there’s no penalty unless both hexes are
occupied; then the ‑4 for a single occupied hex applies."

In order for a single occupied hex to be "in the way" it would have to be between the firer and the target exactly along a hex row or hex spine, otherwise the firer could select a line of fire that does not go through the intervening hex. This is true even if 99% of the target is otherwise behind the occupied hex. A similar situation arises with an intervening obstacle.

Under what circumstances, if any, would a firer get some penalty when the target is mostly behind an occupied hex or a hex with an obstacle but a "line of fire" can be traced to a sliver of the target hex that does not touch the occupied hex or hex with an obstacle?

02-06-2023, 11:06 AM	#1
Rhino Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Rafael, CA	Ranged Attacks and Obstacles "In the Way" Exploits at p.42 provides: "Then there’s the question of line of fire. You can target an enemy if you can draw a straight line between any part of your hex and any part of your foe’s without passing through a solid obstacle." "If your line of fire passes through an occupied hex, the occupants – friend or foe – are “in the way.” Each such hex gives you ‑4 to hit. However, if your attack passes along a line between two hexes, there’s no penalty unless both hexes are occupied; then the ‑4 for a single occupied hex applies." In order for a single occupied hex to be "in the way" it would have to be between the firer and the target exactly along a hex row or hex spine, otherwise the firer could select a line of fire that does not go through the intervening hex. This is true even if 99% of the target is otherwise behind the occupied hex. A similar situation arises with an intervening obstacle. Under what circumstances, if any, would a firer get some penalty when the target is mostly behind an occupied hex or a hex with an obstacle but a "line of fire" can be traced to a sliver of the target hex that does not touch the occupied hex or hex with an obstacle?