Hi,

We just played our sixth session of eote and came up with a bit of confusion with the following scenario:

As a combat scene was nearing it's end, an npc minion group was the only opposition left against the player characters. On the minions' turn, they opened fire and scored a single advantage.

The table in the core rules lists some ideas for advantages and for a single advantage it says something like "Grant a boost die to the next ally's check."

However, for 2 advantages the table gives option to give boost die to any allied character's next check, and it also explicitely states that the boost may be given to the currently active character.

(Note that I don't have the rule book with me atm. so the wording above is not exact)

As the minion group has no more allies in the combat, does it mean that it may spend a single advantage to grant a boost to it's own next check? Or not, as for single advantage only allies may benefit from it?

The wording on 2 advantage option might be interpreted so that a character or minion is not an ally of itself as it is explicitely mentioned that the boost die can also given to the currently active character. On the other hand it would feel a bit harsh to deny the boost die option from a player character only because he is alone.

For the record: At the table I ruled that the minion group may benefit from the boost die on it's next turn (and we agreed that a lone PC could do the same) as I saw that the minions are allies of themselves and there were also no other sensible option for 1 advantage in the current situation.

Any thoughts?

You solved your own problem by making a decision. That's what the book says to do. The chart is not to be considered the only options available.

In general though you aren't an ally of yourself as far as verbiage goes. The devs pointed this out in the Talent Heightened Awareness. It also sounds a little schizophrenic to allow it I think.

It also sounds a little schizophrenic to allow it I think.

I agree with 2P51's response 100% but, wrt what I've quoted, just to ensure no one thinks Mman is schizo (not that I really thought anyone would based on a rules question!), I'm betting a lot of Pathfinder expatriates will wonder about this if they don't spot the developer's rulings. The Pathfinder rules specifically state that a character is an ally to himself so any effect that could be put on "an ally" can be put on himself, too. Or herself. Or, so I don't upset the Verpine community, itself.

As a member of the verpine community I thank you for your consideration. ;-)

It also sounds a little schizophrenic to allow it I think.

The Pathfinder rules specifically state that a character is an ally to himself so any effect that could be put on "an ally" can be put on himself, too. Or herself. Or, so I don't upset the Verpine community, itself.

Themself* would be what you're looking for. I'm sure itself would be even worse than he or she, hahaha.

Themself* would be what you're looking for. I'm sure itself would be even worse than he or she, hahaha.

What do I know? I'm one LaSalle and an Edith away from busting out with the "All In The Family" theme song.

But, it's quite obvious, is it not? One minion is, per definitionem, an ally of all the other members in their group. Therefore they can boost one another without the need for self reciprocation. Even better, with this hairsplitter you can leave the PCs out in the rain.

But, it's quite obvious, is it not? One minion is, per definitionem, an ally of all the other members in their group. Therefore they can boost one another without the need for self reciprocation. Even better, with this hairsplitter you can leave the PCs out in the rain.

Or maybe not! This might explain why minions get upgrades for each member of the group after the first! One guy is ALWAYS not being counted!

But, it's quite obvious, is it not? One minion is, per definitionem, an ally of all the other members in their group. Therefore they can boost one another without the need for self reciprocation. Even better, with this hairsplitter you can leave the PCs out in the rain.

Or maybe not! This might explain why minions get upgrades for each member of the group after the first! One guy is ALWAYS not being counted!

But, they are: One is the actual agent (Characteristic), the others are their little helpers (Upgrades, more precisely Skill Ranks). So, consider the agent generating the boost for an ally (helper), the two then swapping places next turn.

In general though you aren't an ally of yourself as far as verbiage goes. The devs pointed this out in the Talent Heightened Awareness.

Thanks for the pointer, this seems to be the "official" stand on this.