Say there are three mage spawn adjacent to a hero. One of the mage spawn attacks the hero. The hero counterattacks using sweep, hitting not only the mage spawn that initiated the attack, but the other two mage spawn as well.

Do the other two mage spawn get a counterattack?

No. You only get to counterattack vs. an attack, not a counterattack.

David A. Blizzard

on a slightly related topic, if you make a close combat attack through someones back arc (with sneak attack or if they spun away from you for some reason) does the target get a counter attack?? Its very clear that ranged counter attack must be in line of sight of the front arc, but it doesn't say anything about melee, it just says they get a counter attack, with no noticible restrictions on which way they are facing.

Counterattack is still an attack action, thus it follows all rules for attack. That means you can counterattack only through your front arc.

Shaddy

well, since you stated that a counter.attack is an attack ..
so there would be NO end to the counters ... until one is dead ...
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well i think that the 2 other MS can do a counter.attack since it is not them that initiated the attack, and .... from the looks of it .. sweep is not a good option :(

Straight from official FAQ:

Does a counterattack have to be made through the front arc?
Counterattacks follow all of the standard rules for attacks; a counterattack must be made through the front arc. If you want to attack without reprisal, attack a figure outside its front arc.

Can a warrior use Sweep in a counterattack?
Yes. You can use the Sweep special ability to counterattack. If you use Sweep, you target all opposing figures in your front arc. If you do not want to target all the figures, turn off that special ability. The benefit of using Sweep on the counterattack is that the figures do not get to hit you back, because you are hitting them on a counterattack. Also remember that you may not target your own figures during a counterattack.

Plain and simple.

Shaddy

Does this mean that if you are countering an attack and one of your heros (or other friendly figures) is in your front arc,

a.) You can't use the sweep ability

or

b.) You can use the ability, but your hero (friendly figure) takes no damage?

He did say you target all Opposing figures in your front arc.

at least that is how it worked before pyramid came out, and I don't have a pyramid rule book.

"If you use Sweep, you target all opposing figures in your front arc."
straight from the FAQ, as shaddy pointed out.

sorry, missed that... it's been a long day at work...