Just wanted to clarify a few situations. The FAQ entry for SymbioMates/Bombs state that you must assign the Mate/Bomb at the moment when you deploy the trooper whose profile includes the SymbioMates or SymbioBombs is deployed. 1) I am deploying a Kaeltar that has 2 SymbioMates as my first model during my deployment phase. Is it true, that since I have no other models on the table, I cannot assign the Mates? 2) Is it true that I cannot assign the Mates/Bombs to the Last Figure?
Oh. In that case, I think this is an unnecessary complication of the already complex rule. Is there any particular reason for not allowing to assign the Mate/Bomb during the whole Deployment Phase?
All decisions regarding a model's deployment are taken during their deployment. I mean, devil's advocating a bit, but if you don't have to take that decision, which other deployment stuff can you hold off announcing until after your opponent has deployed their entire army if you're deploying first - Minelayer?
It's consistent with all other deployables that are placed during Deployment (Minelayer, CrazyKoalas etc.), and also reduces their power level slightly.
Realistically all models during deployment are deployed simultaneously except for the reserve Trooper and any you roll Infiltration for (all decisions affecting them need to be made before you roll*). So while the answer to your first question is technically 'yes', practically its 'so long you assign the Symbiomates/Bombs before you roll Booty/Metachemistry or hand deployment back to your opponent, you're ok'. * Or at least that's how I understand it.
my community plays the way inane.imp describes. If the Kaeltar goes down with the bulk of your army, the symbio* go down at the same time meaning you can't put a symbio on your reserve mini. However a Kaeltar going down as your reserve mini would allow you to place the symbio's where ever. The general rules for deployment simply state (in step one) that you deploy all but one of your troops. It makes no reference to an order of operations regarding the placement of the first and last model
That was my understanding also, until I started thinking more about this, and it made me wonder, why would the order of deploying my troops affect anything? Is it like that rule in chess 'once you touch a piece -- move it'? If so, I don't really understand why is it necessary and why should it matter whether I deploy my Kaeltar (or any other troop with Deployable Equipment) first, fifth or last before I pass the priority to my opponent so they could deploy their forces or Last Figure. I mean, we move miniatures during deployment from one position to another, we measure and mark our deployment zones.. Why would suddenly the order of deploying a Deployable matter, if my Deployment Phase is not over yet? I would understand that the Last Figure (should be Unit, actually, if we think about synchronised units such as Rasail) is affected by this, as it could have received separate orders from the Lieutenant to move into a secluded position to watch over the enemy deployment. But why the rest of my dudes, who come together (in threes, mind you!) are forced to deploy in an orderly fashion?
There isn't an issue with when you place your Kaeltar on the table (if anyone makes an issue simply remove it from the table and place it on the table again when you want to assign Symbios). There is an order but it's broad: "Deployment Phase This phase comes after the Initiative Roll, once the Initiative and Deployment have been chosen. During the Deployment Phase, before the game begins, players place their troops on the battlefield. The Deployment Phase is divided into the following steps: Player One Deployment: Following the order established in the Initiative Roll, as decided by the player who kept Deployment, the first player places all but one of his troops inside his Deployment Zone. Player Two Deployment: Once Player One is done, Player Two places all but one of her troops inside her Deployment Zone. Player One Last Figure: Then, Player One places the troop he kept back during step one. Player Two Last Figure: Finally, Player Two places the troop she kept back during step two." Within each step there is no order, you can redeploy at will (with the exception of Infiltration rolls which must be placed prior to rolling and can't be moved once rolled for). You also can't redeploy anything after rolling for Booty / Metachemistry as they get rolled after the Deployment Phase (albeit this is usually played as Deployment Step because the overarching principal is that everything about a trooper needs to be decided in the Deployment Step in which it is 'deployed' as per Fireteams and AD:Parachutist). The reason Symbiomates / Bombs don't say "assigned during the same step as the Trooper whose profile includes the Symbiomates / bombs" is because of AD and HD. Conceptually a Trooper with AD and Symbiomates would assigned as part of the Order they are deployed onto the table. Same as G: Servants.
I'm not. @ijw answered affirmatively to both my questions. I'm now trying to understand why there is a place for issue #1. I'm not sure if I follow you correctly, but there's a FAQ entry on this. Hence the reason to create this thread.
Practically the first yes is technically correct (if you read 'moment' in a particular manner)) butactically irrelevant. Provided it's still your Deployment Step, all you need to do is pick up the Kaeltar and place it again and bingo you can now assign the Symbios to any valid model that is on the table. In practice you don't need to do that. You just assign them during the deployment step you deploy the Kaeltar.
