We had an issue in our current game, one of the players has a formation of four Predator Destructors with their Autocannon AP5+/AT6+ and 2 x AP5+ Heavy Bolters.

An advance was taken and the Autocannon shot at units in the target formation that were out of cover. We are all happy with this action.

The Heavy Bolters were then fired at another unit in the same formation. This unit was in cover from the shots of 2 Predators but out of cover from the remaining two Predators. The attacker stated his desire to shoot these separately, i.e. 2 x 2 x AP5+ and then 2 x 2 x AP6+ (with the -1 hit mod).

This topic was used as justification for splitting the shots. http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23004.

The other player and myself were under the impression that two Predators could shoot at those out of cover or all four could shoot with the -1 hit modifier.

How should we play this?

Page 20 of the rulebook would be helpful here.

There is a difference between splitting shots by type and by target. They were doing the latter.

Also, keep in mind that weapons are fired by the formation, all at once, and at another formation, not at individual units. Hits are allocated, not shots.

Anyway, as I understand it, you have two choices - take the cover modifier and be able to apply hits to every unit or do not take it and only be able to apply hits to those units that are out of cover.

A bit weird, but there you have it.

_________________
The Apocrypha of Skaros 1.1
Rogue Trader Expedition 0.4
The Horus Heresy 0.5
Night Lords 0.1
My Trade Thread

Thats how I read it, otherwise you could end up with some incredibly complex situations.