Hi Guys

Got a little rule question - like the titel says: Do pierce effect all targets if the attack has blast or is only the primary target effected?

The question arose from the combination of "Arcane Bolt" and "Exploding Rune" of the Runemaster. We played it the first way but it seems nearly too powerful from the Overlord point of view.

Almost every effect that causes an attack to affect multiple spaces says something like "one attack roll is made, but each figure rolls defense dice separately."

That means that the attacker only dishes out one set of things to deal with in terms of damage, and the way he spends his suges- (for example, the attacker might roll 5 hearts, and 3 surges.) Let's say Defender A rolls his defense, and rolls 6.

Now, the attacker spends surges (we're assuming a hit, here.) He spends 1 surge on pierce 1, 1 surge on stun, and the other on "blast."

Now, it's time for the 2 figures adjacent to the target to roll defense. Defender B rolls 2 shields, and Defender C rolls 0.

Now, it's time to deal damage. The attack roll (singular) is 5 damage, pierce 1.

Defender A rolled 6 shields, he takes 0 damage.

Defender B rolled 2 shields, he takes 4 damage, and is stunned.

Defender C rolled 0 shields, he takes 5 damage, and is stunned.

For the record, the same is true with "Fire Breath." This is why I love to play Basic 2 with shadow dragons, attack a healer, and play "Dirty Fighting." I automatically get the surge I need for "Fire Breath," AND the whole attack gains pierce.

Thx