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This ability represents the devastating effects of especially powerful weapons, known as 'macro-weapons'.
Macro-Weapon effects
Only units with Reinforced Armour or Invulnerable Save abilities receive a saving throw against Macro-Weapon hits. Any other type of target that is hit does not get a saving throw since the Macro-Weapon ability negates all other armour and cover saves.
The following rules explain in detail how this works, but as long as you bear in mind the principle that macro-weapons cancel saves then you won’t go too far wrong.
Applying Macro-Weapon effects
Shooting attacks
Macro-weapons can affect any type of target, so macro-weapons that can be used for shooting attacks do not have AP or AT Firepower values. Instead they have a Macro-Weapon (MW) value.
When shooting with a macro-weapon, roll to hit in the normal way and then apply the Macro-Weapon effects to any hits.
If a transport vehicle is destroyed by a Macro-Weapon hit then embarked units only receive a save where they would have one if they had taken a direct hit from the macro-weapon (that is, if the embarked units have Reinforced Armour or Invulnerable Save abilities).
Resolving a Macro Weapon shooting attack
The Volcano Cannon mounted on an Imperial Warlord Titan has a Firepower value of MW 2+. You are using this during a Double action to shoot at a lonely Ork Stompa that is partially obscured by terrain.
Your basic 2+ to hit becomes 4+ to hit because of the -1 to hit modifiers for the Double action and for cover. You roll a score of 4, enough to hit the Stompa.
The Stompa has an Armour value of 4+ and the Reinforced Armour ability. So, the target player can attempt a 4+ armour save — the Macro-Weapon ability negates the usual save, but the 're-roll' for Reinforced Armour is still allowed.
Barrages
Work out the macro-weapon’s barrage as normal. Apply the Macro-Weapon effects to any hits.
Assaults
Some units have Small Arms or Assault Weapons that benefit from both Extra Attacks and Macro-Weapon abilities. The Macro-Weapon ability only applies to the extra attacks.
Allocating hits
As the target player, you must allocate and make any saves for normal hits first. Then, where any remaining units are in a position to be hit by the macro-weapon, you must allocate Macro-Weapon hits and apply the effects.
FAQ
Q. In an assault, my unit with a Macro-Weapon attack is destroyed by a normal hit before I've allocated Macro-Weapon hits. Do I lose the Macro-Weapon attack from my unit?
A. No. All attacks/hits in assault are simultaneous (except where First Strike applies of course). You simply allocate Macro-Weapon hits after you allocate normal hits.