I'm a bit confused about how to distinguish the staggered and immobilized status effects. I know that staggered characters can't perform actions, and immobilized characters can't perform maneuvers. But is the reverse true? That is, can a staggered character perform maneuvers, and can an immobilized character perform actions?

Thanks for any help!

Yes, although certain situations may apply both at the same time.

Staggered usually means someone smashed you in the head

Immobilised usually applies when your caught in a net or something.

Both may be when your drugged and bound.

Yes. Staggered characters can perform manoeuvres but not actions. Immobilized characters can perform actions but not manoeuvres. They can both perform incidentals.

Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't sure if staggered included immobilized, since actions are rarer than maneuvers (one per turn versus two per turn). Now I know! And this question was prompted by trying to figure out how to model total paralysis in the game. Seems like it would require both status effects simultaneously.

Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't sure if staggered included immobilized, since actions are rarer than maneuvers (one per turn versus two per turn). Now I know! And this question was prompted by trying to figure out how to model total paralysis in the game. Seems like it would require both status effects simultaneously.

Not quite, while it's super limiting to have both Immobilized and Staggered, that still allows incidentals. For most character that's enough to ensure they don't really do anything, but there's some situations where it might be a deal. A character with a lightsaber and reflect or parry can continue to do so for example.

For total paralysis it might make more sense to just render the character "unconscious" but still allow them to use thier senses.

Curious- once the effect is applied-- can one still suffer two strain to perform the extra maneuver action-- as in...does that trump the status effect?

Personally I'd allow it only because 2 strain is already a hefty penalty and under that circumstance I'm not going to be a mean GM...unless the status effect trumps the 2 strain for a maneuver.

Curious- once the effect is applied-- can one still suffer two strain to perform the extra maneuver action-- as in...does that trump the status effect?

Personally I'd allow it only because 2 strain is already a hefty penalty and under that circumstance I'm not going to be a mean GM...unless the status effect trumps the 2 strain for a maneuver.

Nope. Immobilized prevents all Maneuvers, even strained and Advantage earned Maneuvers. No spending 2 Strain to run around with a net over you like a cheap sheet ghost costume.

Curious- once the effect is applied-- can one still suffer two strain to perform the extra maneuver action-- as in...does that trump the status effect?

Personally I'd allow it only because 2 strain is already a hefty penalty and under that circumstance I'm not going to be a mean GM...unless the status effect trumps the 2 strain for a maneuver.

Nope. Immobilized prevents all Maneuvers, even strained and Advantage earned Maneuvers. No spending 2 Strain to run around with a net over you like a cheap sheet ghost costume.

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I LOVE that image, thank you.

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Also of note, Staggered and Immobilized PCs cannot "Exchange an Action for a Maneuver."

• Staggered PCs cannot do this since it is a type of action (explicitly prohibited on p. 218 ECRB).
• Immobilized PCs cannot do this since they cannot perform maneuvers.

I guess Staggered PCs run for cover while immobilized PCs fight and die in place.

I guess Staggered PCs run for cover while immobilized PCs fight and die in place.

And staggered PCs can draw weapons but can’t use them, while immobilized PCs could use them if they were able to draw them?

I guess Staggered PCs run for cover while immobilized PCs fight and die in place.

And staggered PCs can draw weapons but can’t use them, while immobilized PCs could use them if they were able to draw them?

Seems stupid, but RAW yes, that's right. I guess thats where the GM and/or common sense applies. There's no reason why if a PCs leg is in a bear trap and he is Immobilized that he shouldn't be able to grab a tourniquet out of a pouch.

I guess Staggered PCs run for cover while immobilized PCs fight and die in place.

And staggered PCs can draw weapons but can’t use them, while immobilized PCs could use them if they were able to draw them?

Seems stupid, but RAW yes, that's right. I guess thats where the GM and/or common sense applies. There's no reason why if a PCs leg is in a bear trap and he is Immobilized that he shouldn't be able to grab a tourniquet out of a pouch.

That's the issue with having the movement rules be tied with the doing stuff other than fighting rules. In this case, I'd house rule that at the GM's discretion, an Action can be used instead of a non-movement Maneuver. That way, not only can you pull out a tourniquet while your immobilized in a bear trap, but you can also draw out two weapons and walk somewhere (two Maneuvers and an Action which I feel a character should be able to do in a minute). You cannot attempt to "triple move" from long to short in a single turn.

This would effectively kill the exchange an Action into a Maneuver rule and replace it with more complex rules that need a GM's approval, but I'm OK with that. The book rules should be written clear (but can have goofy logic jumps) and house rules can be left open to case-by-case interpretation. If you're immobilized due to your foot in a bear trap, go ahead and spend your Action to pull out that tourniquet. If you're immobilized due to being held in a bear hug, then I won't allow you to use your Action to pull out a weapon, but you can try to wiggle free.

A GM must apply some sort of logic to the Staggered and Immobilized effects in order for them to make sense.

In a narrative game, this is always the case. Logic and plausibility must win out over RAW because there isn't enough rules to do otherwise. It is the same reason that Sam Stewart seems to contradict the rules at times during podcasts.

I guess Staggered PCs run for cover while immobilized PCs fight and die in place.

And staggered PCs can draw weapons but can’t use them, while immobilized PCs could use them if they were able to draw them?

Seems stupid, but RAW yes, that's right. I guess thats where the GM and/or common sense applies. There's no reason why if a PCs leg is in a bear trap and he is Immobilized that he shouldn't be able to grab a tourniquet out of a pouch.

Depends. There's plenty of talents and pouches that allow you to manage items as an incidental. So you can pull a stimpack from a beltpouch, but you can't go rummaging through a duffelbag for one.