COI: Knockdown and DEF

[paradox]

On Core rules page 8:
Some attacks and special rules cause a model to
become knocked down. While knocked down,
a model does not have a melee range and cannot
advance, make special actions, make attacks, or cast
spells. A knocked down model does not engage
other models and cannot be engaged by them. As
a consequence, a model is never in melee with a
knocked down model. A melee attack against a
knocked down model automatically hits. A knocked
down model gains cover unless the point of origin
(p. 20) of the ranged or magic attack is within .5˝ of
the target model. A knocked down model does not
block line of sight and is never an intervening model.

So a KD model retains its DEF stats? Eg, Attacker targets a KD model with a magic attack. It is within 0.5" of the target. The Magic Attack Roll is against the target's normal DEF? This is unlike WMH, where a KD model is DEF5?

[Canadianized]

The rules don't say that the KD model's DEF drops to 5, therefore it doesn't. Granting cover already makes it vastly different than WM/H.

[paradox]

The rules don't say that the KD model's DEF drops to 5, therefore it doesn't. Granting cover already makes it vastly different than WM/H.

Yeah, Im just verifying. Its a heck of a change, whereas stationary didnt at all. :)

[Leo_the_Rat]

Don't also have to engage/be engaged to make a melee attack? Since a KD model can not be engaged and you can't engage it how do you make the attack? Isn't this the same instance as when MK3 was introduced?

[Leonard_Dukes]

Don't also have to engage/be engaged to make a melee attack? Since a KD model can not be engaged and you can't engage it how do you make the attack? Isn't this the same instance as when MK3 was introduced?

No. The issue with engaging and the new edition had to do with wording changes to Gang and Flank, which required engaging instead of merely having the enemy model in your melee range.