Ugh I suppose you're right.
I mean, the rule on page 41 states "the ONLY exception are CC attacks".
I just find it wrong though because read the text on page 31:
page 31 about direct magic: "Direct Damage spells are deadly attacks that strike the foe
without a warning.
Page 31 about magic missiles: "are sorcerous
projectiles" (the text then go on about how it is to be considered a missile weapon).
So if no warning are made how should they ever be able to cover?
- For instance, how do you want to cover from Final Transmutation? The way I understand Direct Damage spells such as Final Transmutation they just happens not in the way that magical missiles shoots out from the palm of his hands, but it just occours. Obviously it gets sort of uselss to discuss since it the way I interpertret it, but on the same time it is hard to ignore that Final Transmutation just happens (especially with the text written about DD spells on page 31).
With that said there is a limited amount of direct damage spells. Other examples are The Penumbral Pendulum, but then again the text specifically states that something materializes. But how about The Fate of Bjuna? It specifically states that the model must use its own toughness, but according to the BRB crew members have to use the cannons. Is it a waste to use that spell on a single crew member? sure, but I still can do it and I just find it weird that we have spells where crew members can hide from.
I mean.. Can you even use LOS against FoB? It's not a template and I find it even more strange that your rank and file models refuses to do the slighest for their leader and yet warmachine crew members have Bear Grylls skills at surviving. Or am I supposed to see this a all models in the army are cowards (and this will not save their leader, lol) unless the absolutely have to?
Do I realize that the rule on Page 41 states *all attacks* except CC attacks? Yes, but Page 31 sort of contradicts this, by stating that DD spells happen without warning.
Also, I'd just like to state that we're talking about ONE spell with a super long/infinity range. Most DD spells will most likely not be used against warmachines, because they require the caster to be relatively close.
I don't want to be p1ss annoying about this, but I just find it sort of strange. A lot in fact. I can understand magic missiles being accounted for as "shooting", but not stuff that just happens (such as fate of bjuna which arguable just outright kills a model without anything materializes, in the theoretical fantasy world).
**EDIT**
Damnit, I was just hoping the FAQ you presented would say "unless they're direct damage spells", but they keep talking about how any and all attacks (with the exception of CC attacks) are distributed as shooting attacks.
Meh. I know someone who will be happy now...