Slitherine

Building Defenders fire at only one unit if no enemy infantry is capable of firing on the Defenders. They shooting at the nearest single enemy unit within normal range.

But if enemy infantry is capable of firing at the Defenders, the Defenders shoot at each infantry unit capable of firing at them at medium range AND against any unit of any type that is in close range. So one unit able to fire can trigger some nasty response from the building.

P 77 says a building can only contain one unit. That would be the occupier or defender - no attacker is permitted to be in the building. The FAQ 1.2 says "A building can only ever contain a single friendly unit." which does not contradict the statement on p77 - it is an implication of the rule. So if Terry said only one unit can attack occupiers because of the one unit rule, it means a rules change saying a building can only contain one unit of each side (i.e., when fighting). It also contradicts the FAQ saying the same rules apply.

This of course raises another question about buildings, rules state you have to shoot at all units within 2 MU. Building rules say you can only shoot at units able to shoot at you or one unit of your choice if no one is or can shoot at you in the building. So what takes precedence?

The rule states:
o 4 dice: Against each INFANTRY unit capable of firing at them at medium range (unless they are firing with an artillery attachment only).
o 4 dice: Against each unit of any type at close range.

So....At close range ALL enemy are fired at regardless of the position and facing of other enemy units within close or medium range.


You have to consider what is actually happening.
At close range all enemy are within firing range and arc of a unit defending that building - Assume that the defenders have loopholes to fire out of in all directions.
At medium range - the infantry capable of firing at them are sending forward their light companies to engage the defenders. This puts them within range of return fire by the defenders. (The defenders are not leaving the building).

If there are no enemy capable of firing at them, but there are units within medium range, we assume that reformed defending units would send out their own skirmisher to engage them. Hence the reason that we allow them to engage the nearest enemy unit.