Sensor Jammer Decision Windows...

By macmastermind, in X-Wing Rules Questions

So, if an attack is made against a ship carrying the Sensor Jammer and it was all blanks (meaning I cannot trigger the Sensor Jammer), let's say the attacker spends his/her target lock to re-roll and gets 1 hit (rest blanks). I'm assuming that there is a modify step AFTER the target lock is spent and the dice are rolled a second time, because the attacker has a chance to spend focus if they can. Since this would seem to be a secondary modify step during the attack, if I haven't triggered the Sensor Jammer yet during this attack, I should be able to turn that hit into a focus, correct?

I was told by someone that my only chance to trigger Sensor Jammer was after the initial roll, but since its decision window is during the modify step, I don't understand why I couldn't trigger it after a target lock re-roll. The wording on the card itself seems to only limit me to changing one result, not in any timing restriction (like 'immediately' or 'inital attack roll', etc).

Anyone know where I can find the FAQ or rule wording on this?

Thanks!

Core Rulebook, page 11:


If the attacker and defender both have abilities that can modify attack dice, the defender resolves all of his abilities before the attacker.


There's a similar statement for defense dice. Effectively, the opponent has the first chance to modify dice you roll.


So the dice flow, overall, looks like this:

- Roll attack dice

--- Defender modifies attack dice

--- Attacker modifies attack dice

- Roll defense dice

--- Attacker modifies defense dice

--- Defender modifies defense dice

Yeah, that makes sense - then of course I found this thread, saying the same thing: http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/124309-sensor-jammer-blanks-and-tgt-lock/

So, it's all and all, not back and forth - that makes sense. Sucks for Sensor Jammer, but makes sense...

Thanks tho!

It doesn't suck so much. I once played a game where my Phantom with Sensor Jammer was in Etahn's arc, and my opponent rolled a hit and missed with his other dice. I was able to jam his die before Etahn had the opportunity to make it a crit. It is also a great upgrade for stripping tokens, so it works best when you have several low-pilot skill ships that shoot later in the round or, alternatively, when you have a good way to strip tokens before your opponent can shoot at the ship with the jammer.

Sorry for the off topic response. I just think Sensor Jammer is kind of an underrated card.

I've been on the receiving end of Sensor Jammer, and it's a royal pain. Definitely an underrated card.

My favorite build with it is 3 identical B-Wings (blues), all carrying Sensor Jammer and HLC. 99pts - usually good unless you play it too often with the same group of people. ;-)

There's a counter for anything in this game, so you don't want to give your opponents too many opportunities to find them by sticking to the same build. Mix it up, and keep them guessing.

As a practice if you have a ship with sensor jammer, just politely remind your opponent that you need an opportunity to modify his attack dice before he spends his tokens or use abilities. I know people can be excited especially when the combat get started and are ready to attack and spend target lock to roll all blanks and focus. That is when you have to just jump in and slow the game down.

Likewise have the courtesy to come to a decision fast and not use it as a delay tool. Because using it just to run the clock out on a last minuet in order to win by point margin is being a poor opponent.

Often if I know I am attacking a ship and the defender has sensor jammer if in a time crunch I often use it for him modifying my own hit into a focus unless I have something like luke skywalker/gunner or proton torpedo or marksmanship where changing the hit to a focus could have a more damaging effects for the defender. If I don't see how using sensor jammer would help me more than the defender I just consider it automatic even though it is optional.

Edited by Marinealver