Mission 4: Population
Scenario and objectives writeup:
- Mission 4: Population (PDF)
Clarifications
Standard scoring rules apply for objectives, so only a Troop unit can hold an objective to claim Protection Points.
Since the objectives are treated as enemy models for purposes of shooting and assaulting, you cannot shoot a unit (or objective) and then assault a different objective without a special rule or equipment that permits it.
The objectives do not count as enemy units for purposes of Tyranid Instinctive Behaviors, otherwise the player would be forced to shoot or assault the objectives upon failing the Leadership Test rather than try to hold them for Protection Points. One could view it as either the Hive Mind exerting just enough influence for the units to not destroy the objectives before searching them, or the units left to their own devices determining that the objectives are not a threat (which they are not). In game terms this seems fairly balanced. On the one hand, by not counting them as units the player is free to both try to hold the objectives and to focus on the actual opposing forces as necessary. On the other hand, by not counting them, the player will have to pass Leadership Tests in order to move to claim and/or destroy the objectives, rather than fighting the actual opposing force.
Player should discuss and agree on how to treat the objectives in terms of physicality before beginning. For example, an actual figure or other model could be used, with line of sight and base to base contact taken as usual. As another example, a base marker or die could be used and players agree that the marker has some reasonable virtual height in determining line of sight. In contrast, on a relatively open table, the actual visibility of a base marker could be used. The differences aren't too important, as long as an agreement is made on how to play them before they are placed.
Note that a game turn should be interpreted as a full cycle through both players, ending in the current phase of the player's next turn. For example, if a player moves a unit onto an objective in the Movement phase, they would have to continue holding that objective through to the end of their next Movement phase in order to claim in. In the subsequent Shooting or Assault phase, however, it would have already been removed and they would not be bound to its location. Similarly, if a unit moved onto an objective via consolidation in the Assault phase, the player would have to hold that objective through to the end of their next Assault phase in order to claim it.
Objectives do not have to be held by a single unit in order to be claimed. For example, a player could move a Troop onto an objective in one turn and begin holding it. In the next turn, they could move another Troop onto the objective as well, and then move the original Troop away to go about other tasks. The player's possession of the objective would be unbroken, so they would be free to claim it.
