Directed Actions: ARMY OF RATS

[angel]

My husband and I played with another couple the other night, and they had
a different understanding of the rules than we did. After perusing our
rulebooks, we are still mystified about directed action cards.

The card that brought on the discussion (argument) was The Army of Rats.
It is a directed action, by which I understand that it is directed only
at my prey and only he can try to block it. Normal blocking and combat
rules apply. After it is placed, how does one fight against it? I was
under the impression that he needed a specific directed action card to
try to take it out, while he argued that he merely needed to have one of
his vampires attack it, no directed action card necessary. I'm
confused. Does one need a card to destroy an already-placed directed
action card, and if so, what sort of card? Will a mere Strike do, or
does it need to be something like Burn Location? Or is the only way to
get rid of this card to take down the vampire who used her Animalism to
bring it into play in the first place?

My thanks.

- Angel

[K R Maxson]

In article <3hrmqq$2...@tpe.ncm.com>, angel <an...@tpe.ncm.com> wrote:
>The card that brought on the discussion (argument) was The Army of Rats.
>It is a directed action, by which I understand that it is directed only
>at my prey and only he can try to block it. Normal blocking and combat
>rules apply. After it is placed, how does one fight against it? I was
>under the impression that he needed a specific directed action card to
>try to take it out, while he argued that he merely needed to have one of
>his vampires attack it, no directed action card necessary. I'm
>confused. Does one need a card to destroy an already-placed directed
>action card, and if so, what sort of card? Will a mere Strike do, or
>does it need to be something like Burn Location? Or is the only way to
>get rid of this card to take down the vampire who used her Animalism to
>bring it into play in the first place?

Because Army of Rats is a directed action, only minions of the targeted
Methuselah may attempt to block.

Once the Army of Rats is in play, any minion may tap to take a directed
action to destroy the Army of Rats. No card is necessary. This is a
normal stealth action, so any of your minions may attempt to block.

[L. Scott Johnson]

Bringing the Army of Rats into play is NOT a directed action. Both
your Prey's or Predator's Minions may attempt to block. Once in play,
any other Methuselah's Minions may attempt a (D) action (directed at
you) to burn the Army. This option is granted by the Army of Rats card
and requires no further card from the Minion attempting to burn the Army.

Nothing that happens to the Minion who brought the Army into play will ever
affect the Army. Send him to torpor, burn him, contest him - the Army
will stay.