Kyrt wrote:
Well hang on, units can dismount at the end of the war engine's move and may not take their own action afterwards - though they can shoot as part of the war engine's action. Similarly, units can embark on a war engine during their own move, but then the war engine cannot take an action itself afterwards.
As you say the war engine's passengers do not get their own activation. However the war engine and passengers are "treated as a single formation" until the action is completely resolved. So if the war engine activates with a Move, Double or March then the passengers were treated as a single formation that was given such an order and so the Tau Jet Pack rule is active.
Quote:
3.1.3. Formations that dismount in this way may not take an action in the turn they dismount, but are allowed to either shoot or fight in an assault if the war engine that was transporting it is able to shoot or assault. In both cases, the war engine and the transported units are treated as a single formation until the shooting attack or assault has been resolved. The war engine and the formation that disembarked are treated as being separate formations once the war engine has completely resolved its action.
OK, you could also read it that once the shooting is over the war engine's activation is completely resolved. But I'd still say the passengers are being treated as a single formation so it is not over until, not the fat lady, but the Shas'o/Shas'el sings.
Incidentally I also allow the passengers to dis-embark on the first move segment of a Double action and then to move as part of the second move segment - on the grounds that they are being treated as a single formation. Plan on continuing to do so until if gets FAQed the other way, . . .
Given the command deck on a Manta - where the Shas'o and/or Ethereal would probably stay throughout the 'activation' - the lack of coordinated fire and command benefits has always seemed slightly un-fluffy. Character upgrade for a Manta is a preferred option, . . .