The Dirt – NEW Infinity Skill – Marksmanship
One of the Infinity models from the May release will introduce the new Marksmanship skill. This is everything you need to know.
Last week’s article on how terrain should be set up to avoid issues with weapon range modifiers seemed to stir up some really good conversation. I will be returning to that topic in a future article in the near future with both a second article and corresponding YouTube video. But let’s jump into some really exciting news that will impact models announced in May.
The News – Marksmanship Introduced in May
One or more of the models announced by Corvus Belli in May will include some form or fashion of the new Marksmanship skill. Before we continue, let’s take a look at what models were announced in May 2014.
Marksmanship Level 1
- A model with this special skill will treat all BS weapons with a damage rating as though they are firing Shock Ammunition.
- The Shock Special Ammunition provided by Marksmanship can be combined with any other special ammunition loaded by the BS Weapon. However, this special skill cannot be applied to non-leathal weapons (i.e. smoke grenade launchers, flash pulse, etc).
- This special skill does not require an order or short skill to prepare nor does it require a successful skill roll to activate. It is automatic.
Marksmanship Level 2
- When a model with Marksmanship level 2 declares a BS Attack (regardless of the weapon being lethal), the model can ignore the -3 modification to their BS Attribute when the opponent is behind partial cover.
- Like Marksmanship Level 1, it does not require an order or short skill to prepare and it does not require a successful skill roll to activate. It is automatic.
- For Lethal weapons, I believe that it stacks with Marksmanship Level 1.
Also, the Marksmanship skill is applied to a model not a weapon. For Marksmanship Level 1, any Ballistic Skill (BS) weapon that has a damage rating will now also be treated as Shock Special Ammunition. This is huge since single wound models would pass straight to Dead, ignoring the Incapacitated state. It also means that those no wound incapacitated models that could normally fight after being dropped to zero wounds would also die on the battlefield if they failed an armor save.
Photo used under creative commons licensing. Photographer: Jonathan Kos-Read |
I have no indication that Spec-Ops will get the Marksmanship rule, but we’ll pretend for this example.
The Ariadna Spec-Ops flanks the Aleph line. The Spec-Ops BS is 11, he’s got an AP HMG and decides to fire twice at both the Sophotect and Myrmidon.
Example 2: With Marksmanship Level 2
In this case, the Spec-Ops would have needed an 8 or less to hit the Myrmidon (as the Myrmidon would not get the cover modifier). So one of the shots would have hit the Myrmidon. Also the Sophotect failing her armor save would have meant that she passed straight to dead. This is because the Spec-Ops rounds would have been treated as shock ammunition, negating the No wound Incapaciation of the Sophotect. The AP HMG still counts as armor piercing as well, so the roll of 14 does not save the Sophotect. Without changing a single roll, with Marksmanship Level 2, the Sophotect is Dead and the Myrmidon needs to make an armor save. If the Myrmidon fails the armor save, he too will pass straight to dead.
Level 3????
While I do not have any notes regarding a Marksmanship Level 3, I can’t help but think it’ll eventually happen. Following the next logical step, level 3 would ignore the +3 Armor that partial cover allows. This would be a great combination to deal with revealed Infiltrating TO camo snipers who start in cover. I have every confidence that Corvus Belli will correctly price (either via points or SWC) the Marksmanship skill set and keep the game balanced. This just expands the universe a little more and provides more strategies to investigate.
So that’s the news, the skinny, the DIRT on the new Marksmanship rule. Next week we’ll do a deep dive into ANOTHER new rule… Ambushed Camouflage. Were the examples in this article helpful? Let me know in the comments below. As always find me here, my YouTube Channel, or drop me a line or Infinity photos at my new email address [email protected] .