Understanding HSCP??

By iamzoner, in X-Wing Rules Questions

I understand that the new FAQ explains how a player attacking against someone who has HSCP does not have to spend a focus token if no dice can be modified such as in the case of snap shot.

I'm trying to understand how this works since the rules clearly state that a focus token may be spent even if there are no dice to be modified.

I can only guess that the intention is to balance the use of HSCP to situations in which a player would wish NOT to modify their dice with a focus token since no person in their right mind would willingly spend a focus token when they have no dice that can be modified?

Your question is a little vague but to clarify:

When the Ship with HSCP is attacking, the defender must spend a focus on their defense roll unless something prevents them from spending the focus (General Hux etc.)

When the Ship with HSCP is defending, the attacker must spend a focus on their attack roll unless something prevents them from spending the focus (Snapshot, Accuracy Corrector etc.)

Does that answer your question?

1 hour ago, iamzoner said:

I understand that the new FAQ explains how a player attacking against someone who has HSCP does not have to spend a focus token if no dice can be modified such as in the case of snap shot.

I'm trying to understand how this works since the rules clearly state that a focus token may be spent even if there are no dice to be modified.

I can only guess that the intention is to balance the use of HSCP to situations in which a player would wish NOT to modify their dice with a focus token since no person in their right mind would willingly spend a focus token when they have no dice that can be modified?

It's probably better understood if you follow the Golden rules on page 2.

If a card ability or mission effect uses the word “cannot,” that effect is absolute and cannot be overridden by other effects.

Ordinarily, you can spend a focus token when you have no focus results, but this still counts as modifying results. Hotshot Co-Pilot requires you to spend the focus token if you can, but Snap Shot and Accuracy Corrector both state you cannot modify your attack dice.

The Omega Leader FAQ entry covers this also.

Basically, when it says "cannot", it really means it.

When you spend a focus token even when you have no focus results you are using the default effect of focus tokens to modify *all* of your dice.

It is this effect that enables you to spend the focus token. If modifications on your dice are prohibited then you are not able to use this effect. Without some other vehicle with which to spend focus tokens you are unable to spend the token.

Alright so when something states that you can not modify dice, that ALSO prevents the ability to spend a focus token because you can not spend a focus token without it counting as a dice modification?

However, if there are no focus results from dice rolled in a regular situation and yet the roller has a focus token available, he MUST spend it in that case regarding HSCP?

6 minutes ago, iamzoner said:

Alright so when something states that you can not modify dice, that ALSO prevents the ability to spend a focus token because you can not spend a focus token without it counting as a dice modification?

However, if there are no focus results from dice rolled in a regular situation and yet the roller has a focus token available, he MUST spend it in that case regarding HSCP?

Yes and yes