2.ii Roll Attack Dice Step : Order

By MrParsons, in X-Wing Rules Questions

If the defender and attacker both have the option to modify the number of dice what order is it resolved in? e.g. Ship with Swarm Leader is attacking a ship within range 2 of Kanan in the Ghost.

I was expecting it to be the defender (i.e. the same as step 3. Modify Attack Dice) but the faq doesn't specify the order.

I would therefore say the following kicks in unless I've missed something.

Q: If both players have effects that resolve at the same time (or from the same trigger), which player resolves their abilities first?

A: The player with initiative resolves all abilities he would like to resolve, then the other player resolves all abilities he would like to resolve.

When it comes to attack dice the Defender MUST make his modifications first. After that the attacker can make modifications keeping in mind that a dice can only be rerolled one time TOTAL so if the defender re-rolled one the attack may not do so also.

When dealing with defense dice the situation is reversed and the Attacker must make any modifications before the Defender.

Looking now I guess that isn't your issue. In Swarm Leader vs. Kanan I guess it would come down to initiative although in this case I don't see why the order will matter one giveth and the other taketh.

Edited by StevenO
See Stoneface's comment below.
7 minutes ago, StevenO said:

When it comes to attack dice the Defender MUST make his modifications first. After that the attacker can make modifications keeping in mind that a dice can only be rerolled one time TOTAL so if the defender re-rolled one the attack may not do so also.

Yes, but altering the number of attack dice isn't a modification.

7 minutes ago, StevenO said:

In Swarm Leader vs. Kanan I guess it would come down to initiative although in this case I don't see why the order will matter one giveth and the other taketh.

Missed opportunity for starters. That and a player may wish to wait to see and what his opponent does before choosing. Which player can do this?

I'd say it's initiative given that there's no ruling in the timing chart.

6 minutes ago, MrParsons said:

Missed opportunity for starters. That and a player may wish to wait to see and what his opponent does before choosing. Which player can do this?

While it may be on initiative I actually think the attacker would need to use Swarm Leader first as I'd consider it's use as part of cost of the cost of the attack so it would be made at section I.iv. on the timing chart for performing an attack. I wouldn't say the ship is actually "attacking" to trigger Kanas until step I.v. Then again it may all be taking place at step 2.ii. at which point it is clearly going to be based on initiative.

If "wait to see what opponent does" is up for consideration the only thing that could be unknown by Kanas is if Swarm Leader is going to be used or not. All targeting and weapon selections should be made before the decisions are made.

But... you can't determine how many diice you're rolling until you've declared a target...

It would be initiative order. Both Kanan and Swarm Leader happen in the "gather dice" part of it.

1 hour ago, EdgeOfDreams said:

It would be initiative order. Both Kanan and Swarm Leader happen in the "gather dice" part of it.

This would be that step 2.ii. in the FAQ that I mentioned.

2 hours ago, StevenO said:

When it comes to attack dice the Defender MUST make his modifications first. After that the attacker can make modifications keeping in mind that a dice can only be rerolled one time TOTAL so if the defender re-rolled one the attack may not do so also.

When dealing with attack dice the situation is reversed and the Attacker must make any modifications before the Defender.

Looking now I guess that isn't your issue. In Swarm Leader vs. Kanan I guess it would come down to initiative although in this case I don't see why the order will matter one giveth and the other taketh.

I think you mean defense dice in the second paragraph.

6 hours ago, MrParsons said:

Missed opportunity for starters. That and a player may wish to wait to see and what his opponent does before choosing. Which player can do this?

Initiative decides as both players have an ability that is triggering at the same time. There really shouldn't be a " wait and see " option here unless the defender doesn't have the initiative. If the defender does have the initiative, the attacker must give him the opportunity to trigger anything (like Kanan) and if he doesn't, then he's missed his opportunity to do so.

Now by " giving him the opportunity ", I don't mean prompting him directly, I mean taking a small pause before rolling when you declare you're rolling X number of dice, to see if he has something he wants to trigger. If he forgets, or doesn't want to trigger Kanan, then roll them dice.

Personally, I think Step 2 should contain Sub-step iii - Roll dice . Once you've rolled, it's too late to change the number of dice with abilities. Same applies to Step 4. But you shouldn't just mentally calculate the number of dice required, then quickly grab them and roll them without giving your opponent an opportunity. This is a two-player game after all. :)

4 hours ago, Parravon said:

Now by " giving him the opportunity ", I don't mean prompting him directly, I mean taking a small pause before rolling when you declare you're rolling X number of dice, to see if he has something he wants to trigger. If he forgets, or doesn't want to trigger Kanan, then roll them dice.

Actually, when it comes to "giving him the opportunity" you certainly SHOULD give a direct prompt to get a certain response.

1 hour ago, StevenO said:

Actually, when it comes to "giving him the opportunity" you certainly SHOULD give a direct prompt to get a certain response.

Well, I'm not about to ask him if he wants to trigger Kanan so he can take a die off me, but I will give him a moment to remember himself. If he forgets, it's just a missed opportunity.

How is it important which order abilities are resolved in? Either way you will lose a die.

If it turns out that initiative order is correct and the defender has initiative, then range combat bonuses must be applied by the attacker after the defender has used (or not used) Kanan's ability.

From the faq

2. “Roll Attack Dice” step i. Identify number of attack dice (from Ship card or secondary weapon) ii. Resolve abilities that increase or decrease the number of attack dice (including Range Combat Bonus)

4 minutes ago, MrParsons said:

If it turns out that initiative order is correct and the defender has initiative, then range combat bonuses must be applied by the attacker after the defender has used (or not used) Kanan 's ability.

From the faq

2. “Roll Attack Dice” step i. Identify number of attack dice (from Ship card or secondary weapon) ii. Resolve abilities that increase or decrease the number of attack dice (including Range Combat Bonus)

Initiative is always used whenever both players have something that triggers at the same time . There is no question about it being "correct".