Here's something interesting about using Pulse Wave in close combat. The Rules state about taking a ranged combat action:

"If the range value is greater than 0 and your character is not in base contact with an opposing character, then you may give your character a ranged combat action."

However, Pulse Wave states:

"These lines of fire are not blocked by character bases"

You might think by reading this that Pulse Wave is exempt from the limitations of base contact.

However, reading more carefully, you'll see that Pulse Wave only makes reference to lines of fire being BLOCKED by bases. The Rules state you can't take a ranged combat action if you are in base contact. The wording of pulse wave does nothing to nullify that aspect of it. Therefore, according to how I read it anyway, you cannot use Pulse Wave when in base contact with an opposing figure.

(Flyers are never considered to be in base contact for the purposes of ranged combat actions.)