Rules Question about Claws of the Dead

[The Pharaoh]

Okay you Jyhad specialists out there, I have an easy one for you which I
have never gotten straightened out on since the start..

When do you play cards like Claws of the Dead? BEFORE or AFTER strike
declaration? During Damage Resolution? Can you wait to see if your
opponent will prevent that 1 pt. Hand Strike and then throw the Claws?

Thanks in advance..

Cliff

[Biomech8]

Cliff wrote:
>When do you play cards like Claws of the Dead? BEFORE or AFTER strike
>declaration? During Damage Resolution? Can you wait to see if your
>opponent will prevent that 1 pt. Hand Strike and then throw the Claws?

As I understand it Claws of the Dead (and Wolf Claws) can be played at any
time during combat before and during the strike resolution. If it is
played during the strike resolution it must be played before the damage is
actually inflicted and so no you cannot play it after your opponent gives
up their chance to prevent the damage. I personally hold the card in my
hand until after my opponent has chosen their strike (so I don't waste the
card on a dodge or S:CE). Though you could play the card before you chose
your strike in the hopes of drawing a good strike card. And I see no
reason you couldn't play it before range is chosen, since you might draw a
card that can only be played then (but I wouldn't)

[L. Scott Johnson]

The Pharaoh <Cliff_...@qmgate.anl.gov> writes:
>When do you play cards like Claws of the Dead? BEFORE or AFTER strike
>declaration? During Damage Resolution? Can you wait to see if your
>opponent will prevent that 1 pt. Hand Strike and then throw the Claws?

You can play it at any time during the round.

Best if you play it just *before* damage (strikes) resolves.
The damage may still be prevented, however.

Gan: I strike with hands for 1
Opp: I strike with hands for 1

Gan: My hand damage is aggravated (Claws played and paid for)

Gan takes one damage (and prevents it or pays one blood to heal).
Opp takes one aggaravated damage (and prevents it or goes to torpor and
loses a blood [VtES]).

---

If you play it before Opp announces his strike, Opp could decide to Dodge.

If you play it after damage has resolved (and not been prevented) then the
damage does not retroactively become aggravated, and you will have wasted
the card and the blood to pay for it (unless you additional strike).
--
L. Scott Johnson (sjoh...@math.sc.edu) | These opinions are mine and
http://www.math.sc.edu/~sjohnson | are subject to card text.
Graphics Specialist and V:tES Rulemonger. |