Blunderbuss

[p244]

Hello,

how exactly does the blunderbuss works ? The manual says, quoted page 32,

Shot: When your model fires the blunderbuss, draw a
line 16" long and 1" wide in any direction from the firer
(the line must be absolutely straight). Any and all
models in its path are automatically hit by a
Strength 3 hit.

Does it have to target the closest enemy or can it shoots in any direction ? Can it shoot in a direction where it will hit an enemy in close combat with one of my model ? Can it shoot in a direction where it will hit any of my models ?

Thanks for the clarification!

[RationalLemming]

Hi p244,

The blunderbuss follows the normal rules for firing but will auto-hit.

A blunderbuss must target the closest enemy model on the same level.

A blunderbuss cannot be aimed at an enemy that is in close combat with a friendly warrior.

I believe that a blunderbuss can be shot in a direction where it will hit friendly warriors as long as the initial target is an enemy that is closer to the shooter than the friendly warriors. Some people do not play this way though and they say that a blunderbuss cannot be fired if it will hit any friendly warrior. I believe that this is a house rule. You should discuss it with your gaming group and decide how you want to play.

I hope that this helps.

[p244]

Thanks for the answer. It makes a lot of sense!

[kael]

Hi, I don't want to make a whole new topic about this, so I'll just ask here: You've already answered me that the Eagle Eyes skill works with gunpowder weapons, but one guy in my gaming group says it still shouldn't work with blunderbuss, and he says he found this on some forums. So I just wanted to confirm -does a model with Eagle Eyes and Blunderbuss get a 22" of range?

[RationalLemming]

A blunderbuss is a blackpowder weapon which is a missile weapon. Eagle Eyes extends the range of a missile weapon. Therefore Eagle Eyes extend the range of a blunderbuss.

I can understand that some people might not like this and might argue fluff. However, the blunderbuss is not an exception to the rule for Eagle Eyes. My gaming group actually asked the same thing about the "Expert Weaponsmith" skill for Gunnery School of Nuln Instructors. Again I believe that this special rule should apply for blunderbusses if only because it wasn't specifically excluded in the wording of the special rule.

[Darkson]

A blunderbuss must target the closest enemy model on the same level.

Is this a rules change? My rulebook(s) say:

A model situated in an elevated position (ie, anything
that is more than 2" above the table surface, such as
an upper floor of a building), may freely pick any
target he can see and shoot at it.

Or have I overlooked something?

[ANSWER_MOD_DABANK]

Yes, but that wasn't the question. The question posed by the person above wasn not specific.

Unless above or on a elevated position any shooting model can not pick and shoot unless they have a skill or something else.

Normal shooting rules apply to the blunderbuss.

[ANSWER_MOD_DABANK]

There is also a noted correction.

Eagle Eyes Can not affect a blunderbuss as a blunderbuss does not have a ballastic skill.
Per an old FAQ that is downloadable in the rules sections under "FAQ"

Q. Does the “Eagle Eye” skill increase the
range of a blunderbuss?
This seems silly, since the weapon is not
affected by ballistic skill.

[RationalLemming]

Thanks for coming in Da Bank!

[kael]

Thanks for the answers. Anyway, I don't see what has BS to do with Eagle Eyes, but if this is the official Q&A, than of course we will respect it.

[stefano]

Eagle Eyes affect the range of any missile weapon, and blunderbuss is not.
That should be the reason. But I could have missed something.
I know that the clarification is on the annual 2002, but the BS thing is in the question.