If a surge ability allows you to add a condition (e.g. the Iron Mace), do you need to do at least one point of damage to spend this surge? Or does that ruling only apply if specifically stated (e.g. Subdue keyword)?
Spending surges on conditions
If a surge ability allows you to add a condition (e.g. the Iron Mace), do you need to do at least one point of damage to spend this surge? Or does that ruling only apply if specifically stated (e.g. Subdue keyword)?
If I remember correctly, its specifically stated on the description of that surge. Some abilities or skills dont need deal damage to apply a condition ( Ex.: Shield Slam : While you have a Shield equipped (even if exhausted), each of your attacks with a Melee weapon gain surge: Choose a monster adjacent to you.That monster is Stunned )
Edited by kraistoYou must deal at least one point of damage in order to apply a condition using a surge ability.
See page 15 of the core rulebook under "Conditions".
Some abilities and effects have the chance of inflicting conditions, such as Poisoned upon heroes or monsters. Additionally, some attacks have a surge ability featuring a condition. If the attack deals at least 1 heart (after rolling defense dice), the target suffers the listed condition.
If I remember correctly, its specifically stated on the description of that surge. Some abilities or skills dont need deal damage to apply a condition (Ex.: Shield Slam : While you have a Shield equipped (even if exhausted), each of your attacks with a Melee weapon gain surge: Choose a monster adjacent to you.That monster is Stunned .)
I believe Shield Slam is a weird exception, because the ability is not listed as "Surge: <Condition>". It has additional clarifying text, so you don't have to deal damage on the monster you choose to stun, as it does not have to be the one you attacked.
However , as a general rule, this is true of all surges that directly inflict a condition unless an exception is explicitly stated. For example, the Stalker skill Exploit, which says it inflicts Weakened 'even if you didn't deal any hearts'.
Edited by Charmy
Just aplly the (new) golden rules
"Some cards and abilities come in direct conflict with
the rules found in this rulebook. Cards and abilities
take precedence over the rules in this rulebook.
Furthermore, many quest rules listed in the Quest
Guides come in direct conflict with cards, abilities,
and the rules found in this rulebook.
The quest rules
listed in the Quest Guides take precedence over cards,
abilities, and the rulebook."
What about spending surges on the Contaminated card? These place class tokens, not conditions.
Surges for non-conditions do not require damage dealt unless they say so. They only require a hit (enough range, no X).