So, I bought Explosive Entry (Armored Onslaught) for the hell of it as the IP and to try it out, and a question popped up; when can I actually start using it? During initial setup, if the rules allows me to make an optional deployment? In other words, is it active before play actually begins

Initial groups are also deployed, so you can add attachments to them. But I can't think of a mission where initial groups end up adjacent to any rebel figures. (Large) figures from the optional deployment of Special Setup might have some chance.

But initial deployment and optional deployment during setup happens before the heroes arrive, so when the figure is deployed, there are (usually) no rebel figures on the map yet. So this limits Explosive Entry to the optional deployment from rebels bringing in an ally.

Initial groups are also deployed, so you can add attachments to them. But I can't think of a mission where initial groups end up adjacent to any rebel figures. (Large) figures from the optional deployment of Special Setup might have some chance.

But initial deployment and optional deployment during setup happens before the heroes arrive, so when the figure is deployed, there are (usually) no rebel figures on the map yet. So this limits Explosive Entry to the optional deployment from rebels bringing in an ally.

Exactly. And that's how it went down yesterday, when we played. I deployed my initial groups and an optional deployment, the Rebels deployed their heroes, then an Ally, which allowed me to deploy a group and use Explosive Entry. I actually used that ability three or four times to great effect during that game - for a mostly joke Class Card, it pulled its weight. Thanks for the help, a1bert.

Does this ability only count to deployments? Or reinforcement as well?

It says "Deploy a figure", so it does not work with reinforcements, only when you deploy a group you can select a figure to perform it.

(If it said "when you place a figure during optional deployment", it would also apply to reinforcement. Or "when you deploy or reinforce a figure".)

Initial groups are also deployed, so you can add attachments to them. But I can't think of a mission where initial groups end up adjacent to any rebel figures. (Large) figures from the optional deployment of Special Setup might have some chance.

But initial deployment and optional deployment during setup happens before the heroes arrive, so when the figure is deployed, there are (usually) no rebel figures on the map yet. So this limits Explosive Entry to the optional deployment from rebels bringing in an ally.

Exactly. And that's how it went down yesterday, when we played. I deployed my initial groups and an optional deployment, the Rebels deployed their heroes, then an Ally, which allowed me to deploy a group and use Explosive Entry. I actually used that ability three or four times to great effect during that game - for a mostly joke Class Card, it pulled its weight. Thanks for the help, a1bert.

Mmm, I think you are playing it incorrectly. The heroes are deployed only at the start of the game. I think that there is no map with an Imperial deployment point adjacent to the deployment zone of the heroes. You should play that card only when you (imperial) deploy a figure and the Rebels figures are adjacent to the imperial figure you have deployed. It seems that you have played the card on the space of the Ally. I mean, you must play the card choosing your imperial figure as the objective, not the Ally to affect the figures adjacent to him. YOU means imperial player, not the Rebel players.

Also, Explosive Entry is not an attachment, so you can play it everytime that a group is deployed, but it only affects rebels figures adjacent to the deployed imperial figure. I cannot see how can this card be used when an Ally is deployed at the start of the game.

Mmm, I think you are playing it incorrectly. The heroes are deployed only at the start of the game. I think that there is no map with an Imperial deployment point adjacent to the deployment zone of the heroes. You should play that card only when you (imperial) deploy a figure and the Rebels figures are adjacent to the imperial figure you have deployed. It seems that you have played the card on the space of the Ally.

Also, Explosive Entry is not an attachment, so you can play it everytime that a group is deployed, but it only affects rebels figures adjacent to the deployed imperial figure. I cannot see how can this card be used when an Ally is deployed at the start of the game.

I guess you didn't read the above carefully.

1.The heroes arrive after special setup and hearing the mission briefing. Then they can bring in ally.

2.If they bring in an ally, the ally is deployed, then the imperial player gets optional deployment.

3.In a deployment, figures in a group are placed as close to a single active deployment point as possible.

There are missions where deployment points are close enough to take advantage of figures already on the deployment point and adjacent spaces. If all of those are occupied, a figure can be 2 spaces away, and for example E-Web can thus reach figures upto 4 spaces away, and can use Explosive Entry.

On the other hand, Massive figures must be placed on the deployment point whether there are figures or not.

(As an example I can think of one Twin Shadows mission where 5 small figures and an E-Web can reach upto 2 rebel figures. I'm certain there are others.)

Mmm, I think you are playing it incorrectly. The heroes are deployed only at the start of the game. I think that there is no map with an Imperial deployment point adjacent to the deployment zone of the heroes. You should play that card only when you (imperial) deploy a figure and the Rebels figures are adjacent to the imperial figure you have deployed. It seems that you have played the card on the space of the Ally.

Also, Explosive Entry is not an attachment, so you can play it everytime that a group is deployed, but it only affects rebels figures adjacent to the deployed imperial figure. I cannot see how can this card be used when an Ally is deployed at the start of the game.

I guess you didn't read the above carefully.

1.The heroes arrive after special setup and hearing the mission briefing. Then they can bring in ally.

2.If they bring in an ally, the ally is deployed, then the imperial player gets optional deployment.

3.In a deployment, figures in a group are placed as close to a single active deployment point as possible.

There are missions where deployment points are close enough to take advantage of figures already on the deployment point and adjacent spaces. If all of those are occupied, a figure can be 2 spaces away, and for example E-Web can thus reach figures upto 4 spaces away, and can use Explosive Entry.

On the other hand, Massive figures must be placed on the deployment point whether there are figures or not.

(As an example I can think of one Twin Shadows mission where 5 small figures and an E-Web can reach upto 2 rebel figures. I'm certain there are others.)

Nothing of what you said contradicts what I have said. I am answering to him, not to you (as I know that what you said is right, of course). My last sentence could confuse you. Maybe there are missions where you can use explosive entry just ath the beginning of the game, I didn't know. But it can happen, obviously. What I said is only to assure that GyldenDamgaard is playing the card correctly. Maybe he wasn't playing it on his figures, and that is what I was saying.

Sorry if I explained it badly.

Mmm, I think you are playing it incorrectly. The heroes are deployed only at the start of the game. I think that there is no map with an Imperial deployment point adjacent to the deployment zone of the heroes. You should play that card only when you (imperial) deploy a figure and the Rebels figures are adjacent to the imperial figure you have deployed. It seems that you have played the card on the space of the Ally.

Also, Explosive Entry is not an attachment, so you can play it everytime that a group is deployed, but it only affects rebels figures adjacent to the deployed imperial figure. I cannot see how can this card be used when an Ally is deployed at the start of the game.

I guess you didn't read the above carefully.

1.The heroes arrive after special setup and hearing the mission briefing. Then they can bring in ally.

2.If they bring in an ally, the ally is deployed, then the imperial player gets optional deployment.

3.In a deployment, figures in a group are placed as close to a single active deployment point as possible.

There are missions where deployment points are close enough to take advantage of figures already on the deployment point and adjacent spaces. If all of those are occupied, a figure can be 2 spaces away, and for example E-Web can thus reach figures upto 4 spaces away, and can use Explosive Entry.

On the other hand, Massive figures must be placed on the deployment point whether there are figures or not.

(As an example I can think of one Twin Shadows mission where 5 small figures and an E-Web can reach upto 2 rebel figures. I'm certain there are others.)

Nothing of what you said contradicts what I have said. I am answering to him, not to you (as I know that what you said is right, of course). My last sentence could confuse you. Maybe there are missions where you can use explosive entry just ath the beginning of the game, I didn't know. But it can happen, obviously. What I said is only to assure that GyldenDamgaard is playing the card correctly. Maybe he wasn't playing it on his figures, and that is what I was saying.

Sorry if I explained it badly.

Thanks for keeping me sharp.. But, as a1bert said, on the "The Hard Way" Threat Mission from RtH, there's a green deployment point only three squares from the Entry, and with four heroes, Chewbacca and three Rebel Troopers, there were actually many adjacent figures - adjacent to the figures I deployed and used Explosive Entry with. No harm, no foul.

And a follow-up question (I'm reading through the Rules forum's backlog...); I'm aware that Conditions can only be applied if the defender suffered damage. But what about this card? It says explicitly that each adjacent figure becomes Weakened - even without taking any damage? Suddenly, I'm not sure.

1) Explosive Entry is not an attack.

2) Weakened is not a condition keyword, but the condition itself. Only the condition keyword Weaken needs that the target suffered damage to apply the corresponding condition (Weakened).

So, do exactly what the card says. Each applicable Rebel figure will become Weakened regardless of the dice roll result.

1) Explosive Entry is not an attack.

2) Weakened is not a condition keyword, but the condition itself. Only the condition keyword Weaken needs that the target suffered damage to apply the corresponding condition (Weakened).

So, do exactly what the card says. Each figure will become Weakened.

Cool, that's also how we've been playing it. I just suddenly started overthinking it. Side note: I hit the same Rebel Hero with it four rounds in a row. That was good fun.