This is a cross post from reddit, I though maybe I could get a more solid answer here. I'm looking for a serious answer.

I know when Evade is supposed to resolve. I'm saying that following the Rules Reference Evade cannot resolve.

Evade isn't a card that can supersede the Rules Reference. It's a rule that contradicts other rules in the same document. At least Scatter is on a card, so the golden rule applies.

Not that the mechanism is broken, but the rule as written is not applicable(?).

OK, Cancel and Reroll are defined as:

Modifying Dice P. 7

• Reroll: When a die is rerolled, the attacker picks it up and rolls it again. A die can be rerolled multiple times.

• Cancel: When a die or die icon is canceled, remove it from the attack pool.

When can you modify dice?

Effect Use and Timing P.5

• An effect that modifies attack dice can only be resolved during the “Resolve Attacks Effects” step of an attack unless another timing is specified.

OK... So, "Modify Dice" says specifically:

Which Evade does,

which precedes Evade token resolution

which Evade doesn't do. A timing for evade is not specified.

When is "Resolve Attack Effects"?

Attack P. 2

So you can only resolve Evade's effect before you can declare Evade as a response.

But another timing is specified: the Spend Defense Tokens step.

Defense tokens can be spent by the defender during the “Spend Defense Tokens” step of an attack to produce the effects described below .

Defense tokens are resolved only during this step - it's just that the effect itself may indicate actions to be performed later. The clearest case is Redirect: it resolves immediately, and you must choose a hull zone immediately... even if the moving of damage only happens later on. Brace triggers immediately too, it's just that all its effects are delayed. Evade and Scatter each trigger and fully resolve its effects immediately. These two are the norm - not the exception.

But another timing is specified: the Spend Defense Tokens step.

Defense tokens can be spent by the defender during the “Spend Defense Tokens” step of an attack to produce the effects described below .

Defense tokens are resolved only during this step - it's just that the effect itself may indicate actions to be performed later. The clearest case is Redirect: it resolves immediately, and you must choose a hull zone immediately... even if the moving of damage only happens later on. Brace triggers immediately too, it's just that all its effects are delayed. Evade and Scatter each trigger and fully resolve its effects immediately. These two are the norm - not the exception.

I provided the same answer on the Reddit post.

The rules provide a specific qualifier for Dice Modifications that may occur outside the Modify Dice Step. That Evade provides a Dice Modification in the form of a Cancel doesn't necessitate it's use in the Modify Dice Step as it has it's own specific timing (Spend Defense Tokens) and the rules on Doce Modification makes allowance for that.

At present that clause actually seems specifically purposed towards the Evade Token as I can not think of another Dice Mod that has an alternate timing attached to it.

I appreciate the replies guys. What I was looking for is why/how that step allows you to modify dice, what term or phrase causes the exception to the Modify Dice timing.

" produce the effects described below" should be interpreted as " resolve the effects described below" rather than " trigger the effects described below". (edit: this is an answer that works for me)

I know it's a little nit-picky but it was really bugging me. 'Produce' seemed a little ambiguous.

All the responses I was finding and receiving felt like the equivalent of "It happens here because there's a rule that spends a token" or "that's the way the rule works" rather than saying "this is the part of the rule that allows you to resolve the ability as an exception".

Ffg is pretty responsive...could send it in to them for a clearer understanding of why the exception takes place in the context of the rules as you are seeing them.

I appreciate the replies guys. What I was looking for is why/how that step allows you to modify dice, what term or phrase causes the exception to the Modify Dice timing.

" produce the effects described below" tshould be interpreted as " resolve the effects described below" rather than " trigger the effects described below".

I know it's a little nit-picky but it was really bugging me. 'Produce' seemed a little ambiguous.

All the responses I was finding and receiving felt like the equivalent of "It happens here because there's a rule that spends a token" or "that's the way the rule works" rather than saying "this is the part of the rule that allows you to resolve the ability as an exception".

Isn't the exception you are looking for defined in effect use and timing?

First bullet point ends with "....unless another timing is specified."

Then when we get to step 4 of an attack: spend defense tokens and specifically, evade, we do what that token says to do in the timing allowed by it. The timing is during step 4 unless a specific token says to do at another time.

I do understand what you're getting at, however I just happen to disagree that the rules contradicts itself in this matter due to the "unless another timing is specified" clause. I read the rules for defense tokens as specifying to do so during step 4 unless the token specifies otherwise. Right now, evade is during step 4. It's possible future defense tokens may also take place during step 4 as well.

I think the use of Def tokens in general, and Evade in particular, is well covered by the rules - and by FFG clarifications re. timing (i.e. you can spend it, resolve it, then decide if you want to spend more tokens).

I didn't even write that the comment I made above is an answer that works for me.

The last time I tried to get this depth of knowledge for a game was MtG, I just found the language they used in the comprehensive rules was more consistent. When talking about phases, pools, triggers, triggered abilities vs. static abilitie etc... the terms that they used to refer to effects and actions were the same throughout.

Again thanks for the replies it's really appreciated.