Timing of Overlord Cards "after attack dice roll"

By Nikator, in Descent: Journeys in the Dark

G'Day,

i have the german version (and can nowhere find an overlord card list in english), so i may use slightly (hopefully) wrong card titel translations.

There a overlord cards like HEAVY BLOW (wuchtiger Schlag) and DARK POWER (dunkle Macht) to be played after the attack dice roll...but when exactly?

After also seeing the defender rolls (are the rolls simultaneous)?

After also seeing how the heroes react and use defensive abilities (to increase shields, force rerolls)?

Well, i would say that after seeing also the defensive dice roll, but before heroes using abilities. In case of any rerolls of attack dice he may also anew decide to play the cards.

Edited by Nikator

There are 5 phases to combat:

1. Declare Weapon and Target

2. Roll Dice (attack and defense)

3. Check Range (determine whether an attack is a hit or a miss)

4. Spend Surges

5. Deal Damage

"Before Dice are rolled" means after phase 1, but before phase 2.

"After Dice are rolled" means after phase 2, but before phase 4. ( Technically, it's before phase 3 . However, since phase 3 is basically automatic, it's effectively ignored.

So, yes. You can see the defender's roll. If there is a blast attack, after your spend the surge on blast, the other affected figures go through their own rolling of dice, but you don't get to re-roll attack dice, or re-spend surges.

Edited by Zaltyre

In the german rulebook - there is only one small reference in the example on page 14 that the rolls are simultaneous.

Also important for Spiritspeaker <Stone Skin> (Steinhaut) - sometimes they use "before defense roll" as trigger on the german cards. It's always the same > 2. Roll Dice (attack and defense)

In the german rulebook - there is only one small reference in the example on page 14 that the rolls are simultaneous.

Also important for Spiritspeaker <Stone Skin> (Steinhaut) - sometimes they use "before defense roll" as trigger on the german cards. It's always the same > 2. Roll Dice (attack and defense)

Right. "Before rolling defense dice" and "before rolling attack dice" is the same time, because attack and defense dice are rolled during the same step of combat. I think the difference in wording is only there for some abilities that say "after rolling attack dice, reroll some or all dice" for example, you can't use that ability to reroll defense dice, or an attribute test.

In this case i noticed Wildlander Black Arrow skill card then an exemption.

Special Action: Perform an attack with a bow. This attack gains + 2 range. If you deal less than 3 hearts ( after rolling defense dice ), deal 3 hearts instead ( unless this attack misses).

FFG answer was clear in connection with this:

Does Black Arrow deal 3 damage before or after surges are spent?

Answer:

Black Arrow is resolved after surges are spent.

So it happens after "spend surges" step.

Edited by Straangeer

In this case i noticed Wildlander Black Arrow skill card then an exemption.

Special Action: Perform an attack with a bow. This attack gains + 2 range. If you deal less than 3 hearts ( after rolling defense dice ), deal 3 hearts instead ( unless this attack misses).

FFG answer was clear in connection with this:

Does Black Arrow deal 3 damage before or after surges are spent?

Answer:

Black Arrow is resolved after surges are spent.

So it happens after "spend surges" step.

I believe you've misinterpreted the meaning of the card (though not entirely your fault.) The "after rolling defense dice" is clarifying that "damage dealt" is not merely equal to hearts rolled, but is equal to hearts rolled minus shields rolled. That is, you must take the defense dice into account before deciding whether or not the attack "deals less than 3 wound." The Wildlander could roll 8 wounds including those gained from surges) but if the defender blocks 6 (damage dealt = 2), the attack instead deals 3 wound because of "Black Arrow."

The rolling of defense dice is very clearly done during step 2 of combat, at the same time as defense dice. The only time dice get rolled during step 4 is if a surge ability (such as blast) causes more spaces to be affected.

Edited by Zaltyre

Ok Thanks!

There are 5 phases to combat:

1. Declare Weapon and Target

2. Roll Dice (attack and defense)

3. Check Range (determine whether an attack is a hit or a miss)

4. Spend Surges

5. Deal Damage

"Before Dice are rolled" means after phase 1, but before phase 2.

"After Dice are rolled" means after phase 2, but before phase 4. ( Technically, it's before phase 3 . However, since phase 3 is basically automatic, it's effectively ignored.

So, yes. You can see the defender's roll. If there is a blast attack, after your spend the surge on blast, the other affected figures go through their own rolling of dice and checking of range, but you don't get to re-roll attack dice, or re-spend surges.

One thing, on blast you do not check range again. Range is only needed for the target square.

Excellent point- my mistake.