According to the Indy rulebook, "a hovering character may ignore the effects of opposing characters [...] on movement". It also states they "interact with non-flying characters as though they were on the ground".

I just want to know if hovering guys must stop moving when they get base-to-base with an opponent. I interpret the above lines to mean that hovering guys, if they break away, may fly THROUGH an opponent (unlike how ground guys work). Am I right?

The current ruling the judges have been given is that hovering characters can fly past opposing character and not need to stop. If however, they begin their move adjacent to an opponent they must roll to break away before moving.

Hope this helps.

Isn't the hovering wording exactly the same as it was in the current rules? Why should the having to stop change? Besides, isn't that what soaring is for?

The quoted bit above is a completely new part of the hovering rules, similar to what you would find in Phasing or Leap/Climb, really. It is a change to flying allowing hoverers to move past opposing figures, though as was said they must still breakaway if beginning adjacent to an enemy.

I disagree, HeroComplex. The quoted part is found on page 11 of the original Marvel HeroClix Rule Book.

No, it's similar but it isn't exactly the same - the new wording is even stronger and is intended to give flyers freedom to fly where they will. Maybe the old rules were intended to be interpreted that way too - it was the FAQ which nerfed the key phrase from the old rulebook, "A hovering character may move through opposing characters and blocking terrain.". I never bought the way that the FAQ interpreted that so narrowly.

This change of interpretation is quite subtle and significant. It's one reason that you should play several games with the new rules before condemning them.

Andrew

Perfectly stated, Warden. My sentiments exactly.

If hovering figure can move through opposing figures like Phasing and Leap/Climb would (those that doesn't begin its movement adjacent to enemy), what's the use for soaring?

I agree. The loss of taxi-ing flexibility is offset by this.

As I said elsewhere, basing is now more important than ever. I find myself often sacrificing a low-point character as a tie-up/shield piece, since now every bruiser or cannon on the block doesn't have a taxi to ferry them around opposition.

To reduce the range of attacks against you... for example, go to soaring at the end of Amazo's hypersonic speed hit-and-run.

Or, on a figure with Charge, you can get a bit closer to the opponent in safety if you end in soaring.

Also soaring characters no longer block Line of fire for grounded attacks. So you can soar over near the opponant ready to use your charge next turn and do not block attacks by the rest of your team!

Marlow