Ranged Attacks and Obstacles "In the Way"

Rhino · 02-06-2023, 10:06 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?

mburr0003 · 02-06-2023, 04:47 PM

I always measure from hex center to hex center.

It's just simpler and avoids arguments. Strict? Harsh? Yes, but I'm old and tired of arguments and weird angles to avoid that "occupied" sliver.

But if you're following the strict RAW, "any portion" to "any portion" means even the smallest sliver counts, and your last questions is answered with "none".

Quote:

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.

Yup. Which is why a canny GM will try to have multiple foes or obstacles littering the battlefield to create lots of "occupied" hexes.

02-06-2023, 10:06 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?