Ruling Error/Clarification Needed (Front Arc)?

[Sting]

Steve,
The ruling that you gave in "Jagdpanther question" regarding facing ("Look at the diagram on page 18 of the rulebook. Everything in the light-shaded hexes is in the front-firing arc of the Panzer. So yes, the front arc of the Jagdpanther is the same as the hexes from which an attacker hits it in the front armor.") appears to be in error and to conflict with the FAQ response copied below:

Base Set F.A.Q. 9/14/05 -

Q: Some special abilities refer to attacking things that are “in front of” your Vehicles. What does “in front of” (and “behind”) mean?

A: A hex is “in front of” a unit if a line from the center of that hex to the center of the unit’s hex goes through one of the front three sides of the unit’s hex or through one of the front two corners of the hex. (Conversely, a hex is “behind” a unit if the line goes through one of the three rear sides of the hex or through one of the two rear corners.) If the hex is directly to the left or right of the unit’s hex, then that hex is neither in front of nor behind the unit. The hex that the unit is in is also neither in front of nor behind the unit.

Thanks for taking another look and all your help on this site!! (Great game).

[Y2UAsk]

I couldn't begin to explain why the FAQ contains the statement, "If the hex is directly to the left or right of the unit's hex, then that hex is neither in front or nor behind the unit." There is no other possibility than in front of or behind. Every hex must be one or the other for purposes of attack angles and firing arcs.

So, the first and last sentences of the FAQ stand as is and do not conflict with the page 18 diagram or my explanation. The second sentence in the FAQ explanation, however, really ought to state, "Conversely, a hex is "behind" a unit if the line goes through one of the three rear sides of the hex, or through one of the two rear corners, or through one of the two side corners.

Note, however, that the Archer, with its rear-only firing arc, is reversed. The rear firing arc is not the same as the rear defense arc.

Steve

[Sting]

Wow.

Had been playing platforms without turrets (like the Jagdpanther, Nashorn, Brummbar, sIG33, etc) based on the FAQ response noted above.

Assummed that the "in-front-of/in-back-of facing" example on page 18 in the rules, for THESE TYPE UNITS, reflected differences in armor protection ONLY, for INCOMING fire.

Used the much more restrictive WEDGE shape described in the FAQ response when firing the unit (thought the more restrictive wedge field of fire was due to VERY limited gun traverse).

This nearly 180 DEGREE field of fire will make a significant difference regarding positioning the facing of these units.

PS: Players should remember that infantry targets in the SAME HEX as these type units can not be fired on (not "in-front-of" Vehicle).

Hope the official A&AM FAQ site gets corrected and expanded soon. Thanks very much for the clarification!!!!