Covering Fire

When you can use this

Covering Fire may be declared when an enemy unit targets one of your units with a shooting attack.

The command is declared by a different eligible friendly unit.

When it happens

Covering Fire resolves before the triggering unit completes its shooting attack.

Covering Fire and the triggering attack form the same shooting exchange. Use Shooting Initiative for that exchange; Covering Fire has initiative over the triggering unit.

Choosing a target

The target of Covering Fire is the triggering enemy unit.

The declaring unit must be able to legally shoot that target when Covering Fire resolves.

How to resolve it

When Covering Fire resolves:

1. Resolve the Covering Fire attack against the triggering unit using the normal shooting rules.
2. For this exchange, Covering Fire has initiative over the triggering unit.
3. Resolve any immediate Critical Damage caused by Covering Fire before the triggering unit resolves its own attack.
4. If the triggering unit remains eligible to resolve its attack, resolve that attack as part of the same shooting exchange.
5. Resolve non-critical damage and delayed model removal after the full exchange, using the normal shooting and damage rules.

Restrictions after use

After Covering Fire resolves, apply:

• Shoot
• Run
• Defend

When you cannot use it

Covering Fire cannot be declared if:

• the declaring unit already has any restriction this command would apply
• the declaring unit has no legal target
• the declaring unit is otherwise ineligible to make a shooting attack

Notes

• Covering Fire follows normal targeting, range, line of sight, and command point rules unless another rule states otherwise.
• Covering Fire uses the normal shooting engine, but its timing is modified by this command.
• Initiative in this command determines the order of immediate Critical Damage resolution for this exchange only.

Example

A player gives an eligible unit the Covering Fire command. When Covering Fire resolves: Resolve the Covering Fire attack against the triggering unit using the normal shooting rules. For this exchange, Covering Fire has initiative over the triggering unit. Once those steps are complete, play continues normally.

Frequently asked questions

When can I declare Covering Fire?

Covering Fire may be declared when an enemy unit targets one of your units with a shooting attack.

What is the main result of Covering Fire?

Covering Fire lets one of your units protect a friendly unit by shooting the enemy that has just targeted it. The covering attack is resolved before the enemy finishes its attack.

What limits should I remember for Covering Fire?

Restrictions after use After Covering Fire resolves, apply: Shoot Run Defend When you cannot use it Covering Fire cannot be declared if: the declaring unit already has any restriction this command would apply the declaring unit has no legal target the declaring unit is otherwise ineligible to make a shooting attack Notes Covering Fire follows normal targeting, range, line of sight, and command point rules unless another rule states otherwise. Initiative in this command determines the order of immediate Critical Damage resolution for this exchange only.

What happens after Covering Fire is resolved?

Finish any remaining steps of the current command, attack or timing window, apply the restrictions or lasting effects stated in Covering Fire, and then continue play.

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