When Ships and Squadrons Count-As Moving

[DrunkTarkin 850]

I've got a pedantic one for you here that initially triggered off of a situation where a squadron already on top of the space station tile and engaged wanted to heal on the tile while engaged without physically moving, because of course being engaged prevents movement.

Looking through the RRG you can see references to ships counting as having moved even when they don't physically move. I can't find that reference for squadrons.

One thing I'm sure of is, if the squadron is not given the opportunity to move - that is to say activates by firing during the squadron phase - them it shouldn't heal if stationary on the station. If, however, it is activated via the squadron command and can therefore both move and shoot during a turn, or "moves" distance 0 during the squadron step, I can see an argument for allowing it to heal as if it had moved.

This "has it moved" question will keep coming up in the future (i.e. Mauler Mithell) so we might as well tackle it now!

Thoughts?

[Versch 689]

I would like to add that while page 11 of the RRG states that "a SHIP executing a 0 Speed maneuver (not moving from its current position) is still considered to be moving", a Squadron is not a Ship, and we've already considered that, but are open to further discussions of it.

 

 

A squadron given a Squadron Command may both Attack and Move.  If it is not allowed to move because of the rules on Engaged, does it still count as moving?

 

During the Squadron Phase a squadron may Attack or Move.  Does it count as moving even while it chose to attack?  Does it count as moving if it chooses a Move action but is engaged and unable to move?

 

The triggers of this discussion were the healing ability of the Space Station and "Mauler" Mithel's ability to do one damage to engaged squadrons after his 'move'.

 

 

 

In the name of science, thank you all for any contributions to the discussion.

Edited May 2, 2015 by Versch

[chrisdk 112]

The Reference Rules do not offer a definite spelled out answer to this, but it offers a pretty definite implication in my opinion.

 

My understanding is that an engaged squadron cannot benefit from the station.

 

Rationale:

p12, Squadron Movement states:

"When a squadron moves, it can choose to remain in its current position and is still considered to have moved"

This strongly implies that in order to be considered to have moved it must have had the option to "move and choose to remain in its current position".

 

p6, Engagement:
"An engaged squadron cannot move."

Since it cannot move, it cannot create the precondition to being considered moving according to the rule above.

 

This would be the same if it was receiving no squadron command and had to choose between firing and moving.

[WWPDSteven 2,215]

I agree. I think an engaged squadron doesn't move, ergo doesn't get the benefit. 

[DrunkTarkin 850]

Good. I'd definitely rather it was this way. The idea of a bunch of squadrons clustering around the station heal-fighting each other is distasteful to my high level of gaming refinement. Tee hee.

Take me all the way, Dodanna.

[ScottieATF 2,867]

What Chris said.

[Wildhorn 453]

If two squadrons have they LoS obstructed they are not considered engaged (but they can attack each others). So a squadrons in the middle of the station most likely is safe from every LoS so he can move nothing (or 0.000000000000000001 milimeter if you prefer) and repair.

[chrisdk 112]

If two squadrons have they LoS obstructed they are not considered engaged (but they can attack each others). So a squadrons in the middle of the station most likely is safe from every LoS so he can move nothing (or 0.000000000000000001 milimeter if you prefer) and repair.

Agreed. And he does not even need the 0.00.... millimeter as per the rule I quoted. But it would still need to "move" so either a squadron command or no attack in the squadron phase.

 

And even if two squadrons are in base contact, they would still not be considered engaged if their point of contact was on the station.

Edited May 3, 2015 by chrisdk

[DrunkTarkin 850]

So they CAN "move" and heal in that situation?

[chrisdk 112]

So they CAN "move" and heal in that situation?

As noted a few times now:

If they get the opportunity to move in some way (squadron command or not firing in the squadron phase are the only ones currently possible IIRC) and are not engaged (which they aren't in the situation I described),then yes.

Edited May 3, 2015 by chrisdk