Are units in reserve considered 'alive'?

[fritzthedwarf]

This question about whether units in reserve are 'alive' for game purposes is in relation to nids. For example, if I have a Hive Tyrant with Hive Commander (which gives a troop choice the outflank ability and adds +1 to reserve rolls while the Tyrant is alive); and if the Hive Tyrant starts in reserve, does the +1 to reserve rolls apply? I think it does but I want to be sure.

For the lictor it clearly states that the lictor must be on the board at the start of the turn to use the +1 for its pheromone trail but it does not say this for the hive tyrant. I just remember there being an argument on another forum about this (whether units in reserve are considered 'alive' for game purposes).

Thoughts?

[redshirt2375]

To my knowledge, the Hive Tyrant ability works whether he's on the board or not as long as he wasn't removed from play.

As you said, the Lictor ability states that it only works once it's on the board.

A model that has not yet entered play is considered alive. A dead model is one that has been removed from play either by some ability/rule or after having lost all it's wounds. Or at least that is how I've always interpretted it.

[Jack Shrapnel]

units in reserve are alive... otherwise necrons keeping troops in reserve would auto phase-out!

So yes, hive commander works when the tyrant is in reserve... another example is the ability to outflank a troop choice - it is still a valid choice if the tyrant is not yet on the table (as you have to declare the unit is outflanking right at the beginning of the game) so whether the tyrant is on the table or not, his ability still allows this to occur....

[fritzthedwarf]

sounds good to me