I keep getting told that PPs can't be used unless our on the table. Shooting PPs is obviously not going to be allowed as u need LOS etc, as per shooting. But things like the GK GM Psychic Communion power is pretty pointless if your leader can't put himself into reserve and come down with his assaulting termie squad when 'he decides it's best'.

I've read the PPs page of BRB and can't see anything there. Does the BRB FAQ offer any further insite?

Isn't the generally accepted rule that special rules/wargear/etc can't be used when the model is off the table unless it explictly says it can?

And how does a model that is not on the table take a wound from perils? When taking a wound a model must be removed fro the table, but he's not on the table, so you have a paradox

As to Psychic Communion, surely the commander is on the battlefield already and calling his troops in as he knows where to place them because he's right in the thick of it It's not pointless, you can bring in other units to help keep him alive.

I agree with Spack. Unless it says you can use the ability off the table, you can't.

Spack wrote:Isn't the generally accepted rule that special rules/wargear/etc can't be used when the model is off the table unless it explictly says it can?

They're playing my song again.

I wish people would stop equating off table with in reserve.
The broken record says passengers.

Spack wrote:And how does a model that is not on the table take a wound from perils? When taking a wound a model must be removed fro the table, but he's not on the table, so you have a paradox

Is that a problem?
Models can die without ever appearing on the table.
In the past, during deep strike, models go boom because they couldn't be placed on the table.

What if there were a power, life leech, I shall dub this new wonder, that inflicted 1 wound on a model every turn???
If that happened to something that can go back into reserve (baharroth, maybe), would he stop taking wounds, or even be temporarily immune to death, while in reserve?

yeh, models trying to drive on are dead off table if the try to drive into difficult terrain and the whole thing aint on the table when it immobilises.

My Libby looses a model to Dante's special rule before the game even starts.

RAW: there is no rule to say you can't use the power 'while in reserve'.

Someone please slap him with a wet fish

lol come on u lot.. wheres the rulebook references and page numbers

I was hoping for someone to put a definative stamp on this topic.

will your character be aboard a strike cruiser or will he be waiting in the magazine aisle of tescos?

if its the latter, then he cannot use Dark Communion. if it is the former, then he is in a transport vehicle and the FAQ says he can use it

KInG wrote:yeh, models trying to drive on are dead off table if the try to drive into difficult terrain and the whole thing aint on the table when it immobilises.

My Libby looses a model to Dante's special rule before the game even starts.

RAW: there is no rule to say you can't use the power 'while in reserve'.

There's no rule that says you can either.

This is a bit like trying to prove the existence of god by saying he must exist because you can't prove he doesn't.

On this logic my orc warboss must be able to fly because it doesn't actually say he can't fly.

Seems to me if it doesn't actually state you can do something then you can't otherwise you'd end up with a load of daft stuff just because it doesn't actually say you can't.

Nige, you can argue pretty much anything with the "it doesn't say I can" statement. What you need to find is a rule that say you can do it.

The BRB FAQ has this:

Q: If a unit is in reserve, and it has an ability that occurs at the start of a turn can they use that ability on the turn they arrive? (p94)
A: No. Unless specifically stated otherwise.

No, this doesn't cover this exact situation. But it does imply that a model in reserve cannot use an ability (is a psychic power an ability? Ability is not defined in the BRB, so should it be assumed this word refers to any special rule that the model has, provided by psychic powers/wargear/etc?), unless specifically stated otherwise (as is the Eldar Autarch), as otherwise this Q&A would not be required.

That FAQ seems to cover it I would say. And yes I have to agree, that just coz it doesn't say you can't doesn't mean you can. Thanks guys for your insight

Spack wrote: paradox

Well, if you take the aurtarch's permission to do his reserves thing as only possible, due to the "in play" clause, what about ig regimental advisors???
The wording is very similar, without the clause.

While the astropath/officer of the fleet is alive ...
But, the outcome of their party pieces must be applied.

If my advisor is in reserve, he is demonstrably still alive, he hasn't been removed as a casualty, therefore, the reserve rolls must be altered.

If you assume that models in reserve can do nothing at all, then the rolls cannot be altered.

Afaiac, the autarchs clause is redundant.

I always thought that generally if something was not on the board, it is not in play - therefore cannot alter the game underway (Until a time as the model is placed on the board)?

Bob_to_Some wrote:not on the board, it is not in play

The problem is, that these notions are not actually defined in the rules.

On the board, reads as on the table.
Is any model on the table in play = not necessarily.
Are some models that are not on the table in play = yes.

In play, reads not in reserve or dead.
Is a necron warrior in reserve that prevents the army phasing out, in play or not?
Does it have to be in play to serve this function?