Range bonus question

[MenaceNsobriety 568]

When attacking with a primary weapon at range 1 do you have to roll the additional die or can you choose not to? I know this seems like a stupid question but there are times you may want to intentionally miss on an attack.

[dhowtocor 108]

RANGE COMBAT BONUS

When resolving a primary weapon attack, the

attacker or defender may roll additional dice

depending on the range of the attack. At Range 1,

the attacker rolls one additional attack die during the

“Roll Attack Dice” step. At Range 3, the defender

rolls one additional defense die during the “Roll

Defense Dice” step.

 

The rules say to add one die, there is no choice.  (someone might say that the first sentence under Range Combat Bonus says "may" roll additional dice, but the two following sentences clearly state to add dice.  Further, a better wording for the first sentence would be: "might roll additional die depending on the range of the attack.)

Edited October 20, 2016 by dhowtocor

[MenaceNsobriety 568]

I think this is an interesting question because of the wording in the first part. When it says "may" that usually means it's optional but does not seem so later in the paragraph. I think I agree that it's not optional but needs to be cleared up. The reason I asked is with stress mule breylan you always want to miss the first attack. More dice equals harder to miss.

[dhowtocor 108]

I think this is an interesting question because of the wording in the first part. When it says "may" that usually means it's optional but does not seem so later in the paragraph. I think I agree that it's not optional but needs to be cleared up. The reason I asked is with stress mule breylan you always want to miss the first attack. More dice equals harder to miss.

An additional note: On the Quick Reference page of the rules reference (p. 4) under Range Combat Bonus it shows +1 Red for Attack at Range 1 and +1 Green for Defending at Range 3.  It's pretty clear that it is not optional; I was just trying to point out that you can't read too much into that may;  it's not about optional adding of die, it's about when you determine if you add dice or not.

[Klutz 1,590]

The "may" in the rules refers to the "depending on the range of the attack" that comes right after.

Range bonuses are not optional, afaik.

[RecProf 1]

Twisting this a bit: adding an additional result at a specified range aka Fearlessness adding a boom at range 1, is that a range combat bonus?  It is certainly a bonus affecting combat that is dependent on range, but the rules say a range combat bonus is rolling additional dice depending on the range, it does not mention added results.  So I'm thinking "no" but I just played a Fearless Talonbane Cobra that used this and we didn't know for sure so we played it with the double.  Quite a punch.

[Klutz 1,590]

Twisting this a bit: adding an additional result at a specified range aka Fearlessness adding a boom at range 1, is that a range combat bonus?  It is certainly a bonus affecting combat that is dependent on range, but the rules say a range combat bonus is rolling additional dice depending on the range, it does not mention added results.  So I'm thinking "no" but I just played a Fearless Talonbane Cobra that used this and we didn't know for sure so we played it with the double.  Quite a punch.

 

Fearlessness is not a range combat bonus. It is just an ability that has a range and arc related restriction.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "we played it with the double" ?

 

Here's how Talonbane Cobra with Fearlessness gets if he attacks at range 1:

• He rolls 5 dice (base 3 + 2 from range 1)
• When he modifies his dice, he may add a hit result

  (assuming he's in the defender's arc at range 1)

• This means he can end up with 6 hit results

 

 

 

Range combat bonuses are clearly defined in the Rules Reference:

 

 

RANGE COMBAT BONUS

When resolving a primary weapon attack, the attacker or defender may roll additional dice depending on the range of the attack. At Range 1, the attacker rolls one additional attack die during the “Roll Attack Dice” step. At Range 3, the defender rolls one additional defense die during the “Roll Defense Dice” step.

 

Any thing else is not a Range Combat Bonus.

[muribundi 406]

You can always not throw the Alliance Overhaul bonus die... but the range bonus no luck...

I also seen people not change an eye to a crit for this too.

Edit, but I'm always on the side, do as much damage as you can, a dead target is better then a live target with 1 more stress.

Edited November 14, 2016 by muribundi

[hokin 3]

I would say that you do not have to because of the first line.

 "RANGE COMBAT BONUS

When resolving a primary weapon attack, the

attacker or defender may roll additional dice

depending on the range of the attack. At Range 1,

the attacker rolls one additional attack die during the

“Roll Attack Dice” step. At Range 3, the defender

rolls one additional defense die during the “Roll

Defense Dice” step." the other lines explain what you can do.

 

But if there is no rule that says you must attack a ship.

[WWHSD 9,273]

 

I would say that you do not have to because of the first line.

 "RANGE COMBAT BONUS

When resolving a primary weapon attack, the

attacker or defender may roll additional dice

depending on the range of the attack. At Range 1,

the attacker rolls one additional attack die during the

“Roll Attack Dice” step. At Range 3, the defender

rolls one additional defense die during the “Roll

Defense Dice” step." the other lines explain what you can do.

 

But if there is no rule that says you must attack a ship.

 

 

This was addressed in the second post in this thread. The "may" in the first line isn't referring to a choice that a player makes, it is referring to a bonus that might exist depending on range. The lines that follow detail the bonuses at range 1 and 3. Those line don't say that the defender or attacker "may roll one additional" it states that you "roll one additional". 

[muribundi 406]

Everything is a question of accepted semantic. If I say:

"When driving, you may have to respect speed limit other then 40 miles per hour.

On HighWay you have to drive under 60 miles.

In school zone you have to drive under 20 miles."

It does not mean it is your choice to respect the limit or not. You have to respect them. The may is like other said, that there may be change in the base rule that you have to follow.

Edited November 14, 2016 by muribundi