So, in the Mass Combat rules, Table 1-2, for spending symbols in Mass Combat, we've got the following:

1 Triumph -> Overwhelmed by the ferocity of the acting unit's attack, the enemy unit is close to abandoning its post. On the next check, any Despair generated causes the unit to abandon its post and run.

Is that Despair symbol supposed to be Triumph? Or in that situation, if a Despair comes up, you get a positive effect of the badguys giving up, but also a negative effect from the Despair being spent? (as the Despair only has to be generated, not spent, to cause the retreat)

Edit: Actually, I may have misunderstood. It doesn't say the next Mass Combat check, but just the next check. So, it means the next check that the enemy unit makes, if they roll a Despair, they break and run. But it only does something if you're having the units doing more than just taking place in the Mass Battle roll, correct?

I think it means that if you generate a Triumph, then the enemy you were attacking is close to abandoning their post.

On that enemy unit's next attack, if they generate a Despair it means that enemy unit abandons its post.

(Edited)

I think it means that if you generate a Triumph, then the enemy you were attacking is close to abandoning their post.

On that enemy unit's next attack, if they generate a Despair it means that enemy unit abandons its post.

(Edited)

The only confusing part is that, with the Mass Combat rules.. they don't really get an attack. That's sort of the point, isn't it? Whether your force is attacking or defending, you're always the side rolling. After your Mass Combat roll, parts of that Unit will get their own checks (those interacting with the players), but to have that small part cause the whole battle to blow apart seems crazy.

Though, I suppose since it only applies to the very next check, its not necessarily likely to happen.

Well, the enemy is represented by the difficulty dice, right? And the attack difficulty is upgraded by the enemy's Leadership?

So if the good guys are the ability dice and the bad guys are the difficulty dice, then if the bad guys generate a Despair maybe that's what would represent them abandoning their post.

I see why that's a little unusual, but that seems like what they might mean.

Well, the enemy is represented by the difficulty dice, right? And the attack difficulty is upgraded by the enemy's Leadership?

So if the good guys are the ability dice and the bad guys are the difficulty dice, then if the bad guys generate a Despair maybe that's what would represent them abandoning their post.

I see why that's a little unusual, but that seems like what they might mean.

Problem with that is that other places in the "spend stuff" list, when its referring to a Mass Combat Check, it calls it a Mass Combat Check. In this case, it just calls it a check.

Not sure how I'll actually run it at the moment, but chances are I'll just use the Triumph for something different.

Interesting, yeah, maybe it's worth an email to FFG for clarification.

I just got a clarification from Andrew Fisher:

Hi Isaac,

You are correct, that sentence should read: "Overwhelmed by the ferocity of the acting unit's attack, the enemy unit is close to abandoning its post. On the next check, any Triumph generated causes the unit to abandon its post and run.”

This will be reflected in the next Age of Rebellion errata document. I hope this helps.