The Fly keyword is one of the most powerful keywords in the game – but is it working as intended? Let’s chat.

As it stand right now, Fly is a pretty potent keyword in 40k. It allows units to get away with some pretty great stuff – like falling back and shooting or just getting to straight-up ignore terrain and units for movement.

Rules – Page 6

It was so good that it even created some issues during the assault phase. Those issues did get resolved via a rules update thankfully. No more assaulting down/across/over massive gaps and ignoring the distances.

The key there is that the ignoring terrain and units only applies during the movement phase. And also, buildings can’t be ignored during the Charge Phase now. But did this change go far enough? Not according to the ITC.

via SoCal Open Facebook

Also, we will be using the terrain guidelines from LVO with a new addition to counter some of the crazy jenga moves people have been doing with Fly models recently:

“If it sits, it fits.”: Vehicles with the Fly keyword may only be placed on a level above the ground floor of a ruin if the entire base fits: meaning the entire base, with no part of it off the ruin, can be legally placed. In the case of models that do not measure distance to and from the base, but use the hull instead, the entire hull of the vehicle must fit.”

If it sits, it fits – sounds simple enough. The entire base of a model must fit on top of the ruin. This is also being used “to counter some of the crazy jenga moves” that you can get away with thanks to the Fly keyword. I get it. But how does that apply with the Wobbly Model Syndrome?

One could argue that the WMS is directly counter to the If it sits, it fits ITC Rule. On the other hand, the ITC rule is only applicable to the second story of a ruin and up. It’s more like an addendum and not a complete rewrite of the rule anyways. However, there is a picture that has been making the rounds and it illustrates a good point:

All three tanks have Fly and are now on top of the ruin. Their bases aren’t 100% on the ruin, but they seem to be fitting just fine. (Also, according to the If it sits, it fits ITC rule, this still wouldn’t work because Replusors measure distances to and from the Hull – and those Hulls are clearly off the edge.) According to the If it sits, it fits ITC rule, this shouldn’t be allowed. But the core rule doesn’t say anything is wrong with this – other than the case for WBS.

Personally, I think this is the type of thing the If it sits, it fits ITC rule is trying to combat so maybe the rule does have some merit. “But is this really an issue?” Apparently. It’s a large enough of an issue that the ITC created a rule to deal with it. And we have a screenshot so it DOES happen. While you might never be caught dead placing $300 worth of miniatures in such a precarious position, someone thought it was a good idea.

“It’s cool, I’ll make my armor save.”

This additional rule does highlight some of the issues with Fly – which is probably a good thing. It also highlights some issues with the terrain rules currently in use in the game. There is a line between realism and abstraction that units with Fly seem to be able to cross, criss-cross, and break consistently. Perhaps if the terrain on the board was better suited for Warhammer 8th edition then the players wouldn’t have this issue. But I think that this further highlights some of the issues with player behavior and I don’t think you can write a rule for that.

What do you think? Does FLY need a rework? How would you fix it? Or is this a “non-issue” that is currently Working As Intended?