Xenos ships Arc of Fire - Rak'Gol Mangler

[van Riebeeck 41]

Let me for the ease of the discussion make this a new post, the last thread got heavy enough as it is. In that thread it became fairly obvious (after grot miracle workers and magically turning powerbeamz) that Ork Prow weaponz were intended to fire only in the frontal arc of the ship. This included Kroozers, who according to a strict interpretation of the Rules could turn their prow weapon slots to port or starboard. For more on this, please read (and comment if you do not agree) on that thread. In essence, it was not considered a major consideration at the time of writing, so seems to have slipped a bit under the table.

The question here is, what are the Arc of Fire of the Rak'Gol Mangler Howler Cannnons. It is completely obvious from the rules that the Roarer Bearm can only fire in its frontal angle, but the Howler Cannons are less clear. The basic hull has two dorsal slots but the description of the supplemental components changes this in two Prow weapons. Obviously, this being a cruiser, we could just use these in the same arcs of fire as a dorsal. This would be supported by the fact that the Mauler carries these same weapons on a dorsal slot, so it should be possible.

But what is the intention here? The sidebar leaves no doubt that Rak'Gol ships are used as aggressively as the best Ork Warboss' ship, getting in a straight charge at the enemy, with that same focus on frontal armament. This might support a limitation. Especially as I have read discussions of this forum where people considered it a fact that this weaponry could be aimed at the frontal arc only, so that they advised to get to the flanks and pound the ship from there (in each case a good thing, as the Roarer beam can certainly not bear on port or starboard). That means that whatever else is the case, there is at least some unclairity.

The Rak'Gol being a new addition to the WH40k universe, I cannot say I have the feeling for them that cried out against Ork prow Gunz swinging in every direction. I can see the logic in having the Howler Cannon fire to the prow only or of them being able to fire to the sides as well. To be honest, in this case I tend towards the flexible mounts, as the basic weapon slots are supposed to be dorsal. But as it wasn't a major issue with Orks, I am wondering what the idea was in this case.

                                                                             Friedrich van Riebeeck, Navigator Primus, Heart of the Void

[Vandegraffe 27]

Well, since nearly every other Rak'Gol ship in the game has extremely wide firing arcs, I'd treat them as dorsal mounts.  It makes no sense for a raider to have a 270 arc when the same exact weapon on a cruiser has a 90 arc.

Also, remember that the Rak'Gol have poor maneuverability due to their inferior stutter drives.  A restricted firing arc is a serious handicap for them.  I suspect making the Roarer Beam prow only was a deliberate choice.  A spinal mount fits the Rak'Gol's big and clunky tech, and besides it keeps things interesting.  Watch the PC's try and stay out of arc of that sucker...  could be some entertaining moves there.  

Cheers,

- V.