Issue: Can cover saves be taken against the Callidus Assassin’s Polymorphine attack?
Holding: Yes, cover saves may be taken against wounds caused by the Polymorphine attack, but only cover which does not depend on the position of the firer applies.
Analysis:
Justicar GiantKiller delivers the opinion of the court.
This issue arises from the unique nature of the Callidus Assassin’s Polymorphine attack, which is triggered when it comes in to play from reserves. We are called upon to determine whether cover saves may be taken against wounds caused by this attack, and if so, how is cover determined?
As always, we begin our analysis with a thorough reading of the rule itself. The Polymorphine rule tells us:
“When the Callidus Assassin arrives from reserve, choose an enemy unit. The chosen unit immediately takes D6 Strength 4 AP 2 hits. The Callidus Assassin is then placed anywhere within 3″ of that unit using the Deep Strike rules, but does not scatter.” Codex: Grey Knights p.53
Because this attack is triggered by the callidus arriving from reserves, we know that it takes place at the start of the controlling player’s movement phase (see BGB p. 94). This is an unusual time for attacks to take place, and prevents us from immediately categorizing the attack as either a shooting attack or a close combat attack based on the phase in which it occurs. There is also no language in the Polymorphine rule to suggest that this attack is either a shooting attack or a close combat attack. While the attack does have a strength and AP value, it does not have a complete ranged weapon profile, and so we cannot categorize it as a ranged attack based upon that, either. There is also no language to suggest that this is a psychic power or psychic shooting attack. From the language of the rule the only classification we can make is that Polymorphine is an ability or special rule which causes wounds.
We also note that the language “is then placed” indicates an order of operations – in this case, the Polymorphine attack takes place before the callidus is placed on the table. Line of sight, therefore, cannot be a requirement. This also makes it impossible to determine the attacker’s point of view at the time the attack is resolved. That will become significant in determining what sort of cover saves could apply.
We turn next to the rules for cover saves. We note first that the rules for cover saves (BGB p. 21) are a subheading under “take saving throws” (BGB p. 20) which is in turn a subheading under “The Shooting Phase” (BGB p. 15). The structural organization suggests that cover saves are applicable only to Shooting attacks. However, we know that is not the case. The rules for Dangerous Terrain is an example of GW addressing cover saves outside the shooting phase:
“On the roll of a 1, the model suffers a wound, with no armour or cover saves allowed…” BGB p. 14
The close combat rules also address cover saves:
“…models do not get cover saves against any wounds suffered in close combat…” BGB p. 39
If it were not possible for cover saves to apply outside the shooting phase, the language stating cover saves are not allowed against close combat wounds or dangerous terrain wounds would be superfluous. And we cannot interpret rules in such a way that renders language superfluous per the superfluous language canon.
But in a permissive rule set, we cannot conclude that just because cover saves aren’t limited to the shooting phase, that absolutely every wound suffered is eligible for a cover save. How can we tell, then, whether GW intends for cover saves to apply to this sort of attack? We turn to precedent. We find that there is another attack which shares the Polymorphine’s “unique nature” – the Tyranid Mawloc’s “Terror from the Deep” rule:
“Place the large blast template directly over the spot the Mawloc is emerging from. Every unit under the template suffers a number of Strength 6, AP2 hits equal to the number of models in that unit that are wholly or partially covered by the template. Vehicles are always struck on their rear armour. … After all casualties have been determined, replace the large blast template with the Mawloc.” Codex: Tyranids p. 51
Takes place when arriving from reserve? Check. Causes wounds? Check. No language to classify it as a shooting attack or melee attack? Check. Attacking model not on the board at the time the attack is resolved? Check. This rule is nearly perfectly on-point to this discussion. We turn then to the question of whether the Terror from the Deep rule allows for cover saves, and we note that this question has already been resolved by GW:
“Q: Can I take cover saves from a Mawloc’s Terror from the Deep attack?
A: Yes.” Codex: Tyranids FAQ, July 2010
Given Polymorphine’s striking similarity to the Terror from the Deep attack, it sounds to us like GW clearly intends for this sort of ‘otherwise unclassified’ attack to allow for cover saves. The question remains, however – how is cover determined? We noted earlier that the Callidus Assassin is not on the board when this attack is resolved. How do we determine if a unit is in cover without an attacking model on the board?
We turn to the rules for cover for guidance. The cover rules tell us:
“…units in or behind cover receive a cover saving throw.” BGB p. 21
So a model can be in cover in basically one of two ways, either by being in cover or behind cover. A unit can certainly be “in cover” if it is inside a piece of area terrain:
“Target models whose bases are at least partially inside area terrain are in cover, regardless of the direction the shot is coming from.” BGB p. 22
But it would be impossible to determine whether a model is behind cover – whether a cover save is granted by intervening terrain or models – without a firing model, as it would be impossible to determine the firer’s point of view:
“When any part of the target models’ body (as defined on page 16) is obscured from the point of view of the firer, the target model is in cover.” BGB p. 21
For these reasons, we conclude that while cover saves may be taken against the Polymorphine attack, only cover which does not depend on the position of the firer applies. So holds the court.