AoS summoning and objectives

[chefofwar]

After a game with nurgle where a summoned plague bearers unit moved onto an objective to finish the game and secure the win. We were discussing this FAQ.

From what we read is that summoned units (plague bearers and my summoned skinks) would thus not be "battleline" and could not control an objective? is that correct?

The mission was "Better part of valor" where it requires battle line units to control objectives.

 

[LizardWizard]

They do not count as battleline. So any battleplan that specifies battleline as holding objectives would prevent the summoned units from performing this role.

 

[Imrahil]

Reading this reminds me of the Ardfist Battalion and sparks the question: how about them Ardboys?

The errata said the following:

Page 86 – Ardfist, Drawn to the Waaagh! Change rules text to:

‘You can use this command ability if the Orruk Warchanter from this battalion is on the battlefield when a unit from this battalion is destroyed. If you do so, roll a dice. On a 4+, a new unit identical to the one that was destroyed is added to your army. Set up the new unit wholly within 6" of the edge of the battlefield and more than 9" from any enemy units. You cannot use this command ability more than once per phase.’

Because it states: "a new unit identical to the one that was destroyed..." So if a Battleline unit is part of my Ardfist Battalion and is destroyed, and the Dawn of Waaagh! is succesfull, will this be a Battleline unit?

Grrr, Imrahil

 

[LizardWizard]

Reading this reminds me of the Ardfist Battalion and sparks the question: how about them Ardboys?

The errata said the following:


Because it states: "a new unit identical to the one that was destroyed..." So if a Battleline unit is part of my Ardfist Battalion and is destroyed, and the Dawn of Waaagh! is succesfull, will this be a Battleline unit?

Grrr, Imrahil

I would say it is battleline. Identical means identical. So all keywords and battlefield roles should apply.

 

[Canas]

They do not count as battleline. So any battleplan that specifies battleline as holding objectives would prevent the summoned units from performing this role.

honestly this is such a weird rule. Did they ever explain why this was the case? I only remember them stating summoned stuff doesn't get the keywords but never giving a reason for it.

 

[LizardWizard]

honestly this is such a weird rule. Did they ever explain why this was the case? I only remember them stating summoned stuff doesn't get the keywords but never giving a reason for it.

I imagine it has to do with army limit restrictions. Only 6 heroes, 4 Behemoths, 4 Artillery, ect. Could have also been a balancing thing. Also, it might have specifically targeted Duality of Death to help elite battleline armies in the meta. All speculation though. I never saw a designer comment side that provided their reasoning. It could also just be the rule. Perhaps it doesn't have a strict purpose besides providing a definitive yes or no.

 

[Putzfrau]

I would say it is battleline. Identical means identical. So all keywords and battlefield roles should apply.

I've actually heard the opposite. Any new unit brought on does not have the battlefield role, and I could see the argument that that rule supersedes all others (for example the "identical" aspect of the ardfist battalion). They also specifically clarify that you can't lose the battlefield role once you've gained it (ardboyz dropping below 10 models is the reference) so maybe identical does mean identical? i dunno.

Honestly, GW should probably clarify what counts as a new unit vs bringing back an old unit in general.

 

[Canas]

I imagine it has to do with army limit restrictions. Only 6 heroes, 4 Behemoths, 4 Artillery, ect. Could have also been a balancing thing. Also, it might have been specifically targeted Duality of Death to help elite battleline armies in the meta. All speculation though. I never saw a designer comment side that provided their reasoning. It could also just be the rule. Perhaps it doesn't have a strict purpose besides providing a definitive yes or no.

It seems rather a weird variable to tune for balancing though. It's not even relevant in all battleplans, so it seems a rather weird an arbitrary weakness to put into summoning, not impactfull enough to actually make a difference in the grand scheme of things.