All attacks are against specific models (model or stand) and are never taken against a detachment. LOS, Range, and all other factors are dependent on targeting specific models. Losses are taken against the specific model(s) hit.
This is made clear (to me anyway) by the first sentence under "The Effects of Damage" on page 37 which says:
Quote:
Once a model is hit it is allowed to make an Armour Save to avoid destruction.
It does not say anything like "When a detachment takes a hit, you remove casualties in this way...", thus it does not mean that. Each specific shot has to target a specific model, and only affects that model. Well, unless it uses a template or has other Special rules.
Example 1: Yes you have to designate how many shots (of which weapons) are targeting each specific model. This must be done before any To Hit rolls are made.
Example 2: Because that is the way the game works. You have to designate all shots as being against Boyz, as the Nobz benefit from the HQ rule. This is to protect a player from having their opponent place all shots against just the Nobz and ignore the Boyz entirely. Sure, it makes sense to target the leaders, but nobody is going to just ignore a horde of screaming Orks heading your way. This also protects Tau leaders when they are behind other Walker-class models.
Example 3: By a strict reading of the Markerlights rules in the current NetEpic file, yes, they have to target specific models and do not affect the entire detachment, except where the single model IS the whole detachment. As far as I can tell, the latter is really what they are intended to be used for at this scale. In other words, using the Markerlights against Infantry and other light targets is somewhat of a waste, and that is by design. However, as there are larger targets at this scale, the Markerlights would be primarily used against them.
Remember, we are not playing W40K at a different scale here. Things do not always function in exactly the same way, and that is fine. That said, if you want to propose changing that rule for 6 or Platinum, go right ahead.
Sorry, no, as I mentioned above, the rules do specifically state how to remove models. See page 37 of the Core Rules.
Personally, I don't see the need for the rules to specifically define the word "target", but that may be because I've come to NetEpic from playing 2nd edition Epic where it was also model by model, thus to me it flows naturally. That said, it would seem that it does need defining for those who do not have such a background in playing Epic scale. Perhaps that can be added to 6 and/or Platinum.