Assaults and allocating wounds

[JMichael]

Something that seemed straight forward to me was challenged recently and I'd like your feedback.

Allocating wounds in Assaults

rulebook p25 states (paraphrasing here): that wounds must be allocated to the closest model just like in Shooting (at that Initiative Step).
As there may be many models in base contact at a given Initiative Step the owning player may choose who is considered closest.

Seems easy right? Wounds are allocated to one model until it dies then onto the next.

What if your models that fight at a specific Init step are armed differently? Like your Sergeant has a power sword.
Does the sergeant's wounds have to be allocated first to the model he is in base contact with? Or is is all grouped together with the other Marines as they are all fighting at the same Init step?
Could this allow careful placement to ensure your Sgt comes to base contact with that power fist enemy in the hopes of forcing his AP3 wounds onto that specific model (Precision Strike aside)?

My opponent was stating that they must be rolled and allocated separately (including if my defending unit was armed differently) based on a base to base basis. Otherwise I may remove certain casualties to ensure that my Power Fist guys survived.

e.g. (lets forget about Precision Strike and Challenges) and assume that they are all the same squad.
A=Marine Sgt with Power Sword
B=Regular Marines with fists

1=Sister Superior w/Evicorator (chainfist)-Init 1
2-4=Sisters of Battle - Init 3

A BC
1 234


Since A,B,C all go at Init 4 and all of the Sisters have the same armor save (3+). It seems to me that all of his wounds are grouped together. Though he can still choose which ones I have to take first (AP3 or AP-), I get to choose how to allocate them. Including putting the Sgt's AP3 wounds on my regular Sisters as they are still in B2B with his unit.

My buddy argues that the AP3 wounds have to go on my Sister Superior first as she is the only one in B2B with his Sgt.

[Nabterayl]

While your opponent's way makes intuitive sense, you have the right of it. As page 25 says, "A Wound must be allocated to an enemy model in base contact with a model attacking at that Initiative step" (emphasis mine). The rules do not require that a Wound be allocated to an enemy model in base contact with the model that caused the Wound - only in base contact with a model attacking that Initiative step.

While this may seem odd, 6th edition seems to have an unspoken policy against requiring players to keep track of which model caused which Wounds. A similar situation occurs in shooting attacks.

[rtmaitreya]

While your opponent's way makes intuitive sense, you have the right of it.

Yup, I agree with Nabby. You are right, your buddy is wrong. Initiative step matters with all attacks lumped together. Anyone touching anyone at that step is fair game.

Note that this makes "dependent characters" with higher initiatives more powerful in terms of placement on the charge. Have the closest model be some schlub in your movement phase, and he is forced to charge closest. Have your high Init character then go say hello to touch ONLY the guy you want dead. Then pile in the rest anywhere they fit. Your character strikes first, picking off the one bad guy, then all the rest get piled in everywhere else. Initiative is KING in this edition, and varied initiatives are powerful abilities, such as character upgrades, different weapons to modify your own terminators, etc.

[Lord Krungharr]

Good point about the models with better Initiative being placed strategically. I usually place the good models in my units back when charging to avoid Overwatch death....plus they pile in another 3" in their own Initiative Step (I think it's 3" right ?)