Question on Drop Pods

[MajorSoB]

I was reading the most recent White Dwarf ( well, actually looking at the pictures) and I noticed something pecular in the article regarding monstrous creatures. Look at the illustration showing the footprint of the drop pod that is hiding behind it, waiting to charge the chaos squad next turn. The footprint of the drop pod is shown with the doors open. Now here is my question...

I play my drop pods using the base of the drop pods as the space being taken by the drop pods, with the doors being closed. The illustration shows the doors open. My questions are these, what area is actually covered by the drop pod? If I hide behind a door that is down am I hidden or hulled down? I think the doors are not well defined and seeing the illustration seemed to cloud my thinking. Specifically, should the drop pod be used open or closed once it lands? If you are behind it are you hulled down or hidden? What happens to a squad that a door opens on? I think it is much simpler playing the pods closed, but I wanted to know how other feel they should be played, specifically how does Courtney play them.

[Iron Warrior]

Wouldn't you play it like any other transport? Yes you can make a rhino or landraiders doors open and close but that doesnt mean the rhino or landraiders or in this case drop pod takes up more space and blocks more than its base allows.

[dragons3]

GOOD QUESTION DOUG;
AS I REMEMBER, COURTNEY USED THE BOTTOM OF THE BASE AS COVER ON HIS DROP PODS,(BOTH SIZES). DOORS ARE COSMETIC AND A DESTROYED DROP POD IS THE BASE AREA (NOT INCLUDING THE DOORS) AS 4+ COVER SAME AS BEING ON TOP OF A TANK.

IF I'M WRONG, SORRY TO MISS LEAD YOU! IT'S HOW I REMEMBER THINGS WORK THE LAST TIME WE PLAYED WITH DROP PODS.

WORST CASE IS; A DECISION AS HOUSE RULES,THAT WE ALL USE.

TYRANIDS vs. DARK ANGELS WAS THE MATCH-UP,AND MY BUGS ENTERED A DESTROYED DROP POD FOR COVER.

IF I'M WRONG ON ANY OF THIS, FEEL FREE TO STRAIGHTEN MY A$$ OUT, IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO "GT"TIME TO HAVE THIS AS AN ISSUE.

CIAO!

[MajorSoB]

Thank you for the answers Ron and Dragon. It just struck me odd as to how the diagram was pictured in WD. For me, the only part that should have mattered was the base but WD chose to include the doors in the diagram. I agree that the base is really the only fair way to play it. Drop pods are vehicles and all rules regarding vehicles, when they are immoblile and destroyed then apply, so you were correct in having a 4+ cover save in wreckage of a destroyed drop pod.

[Iron Warrior]

rarely have I seen anything in a battle report, article or anything other than a CA, that is correct. Dont Take White dwarfs articles for anything.

[Catachan Colonel]

Remember that the articles in white dwarf are written as much for looks as anything,

so whay looks cooler...?

a drop pod with all hatches down of course.

They also replay their games til they get the result they want, and use colorful and cool units instead of WAC
(I mean really if they wont play like we do how can they teach?) ;D