8th Ed. Slann Accepting/Declining a challenge

[Angelis]

Hi guys,
I was looking it up and found the general consensus is that a Slann can be challenged and forced to give up his LD and BSB abilities if he declines, however I submit a counter argument.

Pg43 of Lizardmen Army Book reads "When joined to a unit of Temple Guard, a Slann is always placed within the second rank." the next relevant part reads "A Slann placed in the second rank may still act as normal (he may cast spells, use magic items, act as a general, army banner bearer etc)."

Now the refusal of a challenge would normally force a character to the back ranks, however the Army book always takes precedence over the BRB hence I submit that since the Army Book says "ALWAYS placed in in the second rank" if you refuse, you simply leave him there, and as such activate the second clause of the Army Book stating if he is in the second rank, he may act normally, which overrides the BRB.

RAW dictates you can safely decline a challenge.

 

[Arli]

Welcome to the forum!

This has been discussed many times before. It really is a grey area. The general consensus here is that you are correct. However, many players would disagree with you. We are hoping that this will be addressed in the next army book. They could fix it by putting in a rule (similar to Grail Knights in Brettonia) that any TG can accept the challenge for the slann.

 

[Ferocious]

if he accepts the challange does he come to the front rank than?

 

[Scalenex]

if he accepts the challange does he come to the front rank than?

I don't see anyway to get around moving him to the front rank in that case.

 

[T`hinker`er]

Not sure if this is helpful, but a Slann in the second rank is not in combat - he can never strike or be struck. So how can he be subject to a challenge? I don't have my rulebook with me, so perhaps this is just wishful thinking on my part, but isn't there more to being eligible than simply being a character?

 

[Arli]

8th edition makes use of the make way rule which allows a challenge to.be issued
from anywhere.

 

[T`hinker`er]

I know, but this isn't a question of who can respond to a challenge, but whether a challenge can be made against a Slann, who is not in combat. Is there any limitation in that regard?

 

[n810]

The real question is Why would a slann ever accept a challange ?
(Unles you knew the other hero only had mundane weapons and you where immune to them)

 

[Arli]

Facing a Brett player, I had to include a scar-vet to buffer the slann from forced challenges with one of his Knights that would require that the challenge be accepted.

 

[david l]

I know, but this isn't a question of who can respond to a challenge, but whether a challenge can be made against a Slann, who is not in combat. Is there any limitation in that regard?

No. Any model in the overall combat can accept or issue a challenge.
In previous editions the requirements were more specific, like base contact, but not in 8th.

 

[Qupakoco]

Not sure if this is helpful, but a Slann in the second rank is not in combat - he can never strike or be struck. So how can he be subject to a challenge?

Well he does get a supporting attack for being in the 2nd rank.

 

[T`hinker`er]

I know, but this isn't a question of who can respond to a challenge, but whether a challenge can be made against a Slann, who is not in combat. Is there any limitation in that regard?

No. Any model in the overall combat can accept or issue a challenge.
In previous editions the requirements were more specific, like base contact, but not in 8th.

Thanks. I had a feeling I was reaching on this one