Warhammer 40k question about plasma weapon "gets hot"?

Question

i've read the rules and i still don't understand about plasmagun "gets hot".

- is it true that the plasma weapon only gets hot if i roll a 1?

so if i roll a 2,3,4,5 or 6...the plasma weapon doesn't get hot?

- can i roll an armour save if it does get hot? or is it instant wound?

- since the plasmagun is rapidfire, do i roll 2 dice ?

thanks for any help.

Answer 1

Yes, if you roll a "1" on your hit roll, then the firer takes a wound.  Normal armour saves apply.  And yes, if you choose to Rapid Fire a weapon with this special rule and roll two "1s" then you have to take two armour saves!

Example 1: My marine fires his plasma cannon at an enemy tank.  He needs a 3+ to hit, but rolls a "1" and takes a wound.  Fortunately, he has a 3+ armour save.  He rolls this and gets a 4.  Huzzah!  He has managed to not kill himself!

Example 2: My Imperial Guardsman rapid fires his plasmagun at a Chaos Space Marine squad 11" away.  He rolls 2 dice and needs a 4+ to hit.  He rolls a 5 on one and a 1 on the other.  He resolves the successful hit, killing a Chaos Space Marine.  He then takes a wound.  Again, he has a 5+ armour save.  He rolls for his save but gets a 4, so his plasmagun has killed him.  But at least he took an enemy with him!

Answer 2

ok lets say you have a space marine right with a plasma weapon

he rolls too shoot and rolls a one which means he gets a wound BUT he is allowed to roll to save the wound with his 3+ armour save

if you hit and your target is within 12" of your model with the plasma gun then yes he can use the rapid fire rule and get 2 dice rolls to wound but if hes over 12" away then you only roll one

and with the rapid fire rule only plasma guns have rapid fire

plasma cannons are heavy weapons and your not allowed to move the squad if you want it to shoot

hope i helped you out =D