Some time ago i began testing Provoke (with some interesting results) and I came into an interesting idea.

Can Provoke be used in the last activation of the round to force enemies first activation in the next round by provoking exhausted deployment group.

I think, that it's is possible. Card wording "must activate next if able" doesn't adress the current status of the group. So - although, in the moment of playing a card the group is not able to activate, when it's effect resolves (after status phase) it is. On the other hand i think, that it can be kinda countered by playing take initiative by the enemy and exhausting provoked group - which still is valuable, because you basicly exhaust deployment group with 1 point cards)

9 hours ago, Szycha said:

Can Provoke be used in the last activation of the round to force enemies first activation in the next round by provoking exhausted deployment group.

Based on the wording I don't see why not - the card makes no mention regarding "current round" or "status phase", but it's tricky to pull off though, you need:

1. Have this card in your hand

2. All opponent's group are done/exhausted

3. You go last in the current round

4. Move up your group X to provoke opponent's group Y

5. (very real possibility) run the risk where your opponent ignores take initiative and simply follows through with Provoke, activate group Y first, then whack your group X

pic for reference:

I am aware, that it is situational, but it's just on of the unusual ways to use this card i came into.

Adressing your points

1. like with every other command card

2 and 3 are actually the same point, cause going last implies, that all your opponent's groups are exhausted.

4. with jet troopers it's not that hard to achieve, thanks to their short attack range and movement bonus after attack. I

5. the whole idea is based around provoking c3p0 (which most of the time is adjacent to front-liners duo to his pasive) to prevent the attack.

You could argue that the unit you target is unable to activate next, as the next thing to happen is the status phase...

im not skirmish expert though, so I'm only discussing this because I like to debate what the possibilities and intent of cards are sometimes...

5 hours ago, Majushi said:

You could argue that the unit you target is unable to activate next, as the next thing to happen is the status phase...

That's exacly, what I want to sort out

There are no activations happening during the status phase though.

17 hours ago, a1bert said:

There are no activations happening during the status phase though.

Exactly, so the question is;

because there is no activation in the next phase, does provoke fail or does provoke make that unit act first in the next round?

I would interpret "that group must activate next if able" as "when the player next time activates a group, that group must be chosen as the group to activate if that group is still in play and ready".

Alternatively, "if able" could also apply to the case when the other player activates a group - dispelling the effect. But I think the more general interpretation is more likely.

I don't know what the intent is, but the wording does not suggest that status phase would affect it in any way.

But is the player unable to activate the group because it is exhausted? And therefore triggering the "if able" part of the card and its effect is ignored?

Is there really intent for this card to be used on an already activated group?

I don't know what the intent is, and probably you would use Provoke on a ready deployment card, but this thread is specifically asking what happens if Provoke is played on a opponent who has no ready groups left.

If a player is not trying to activate any group, they did not fail to activate the chosen group and thus did not trigger the "if able" part. I see that until the player tries to activate a group the ability stays active.

(Just like in the campaign if there are no side mission slots slots left, any purchased agenda side mission do not grant their reward because the heroes do not choose any side mission and thus did not choose a different side mission to resolve.)

You use provoke on a card. Can that card activate next?

No it is exausted.

Move on.

Does not have to be harder than that.

Use common sense and gaming logic over RAW and it should be fine.

On ‎02‎.‎08‎.‎2017 at 4:01 PM, landoro said:

You use provoke on a card. Can that card activate next, ...

... when it's that player's time to activate a card?

Yes. Next turn first activation.

It's not harder than that.

On 2017-08-12 at 4:17 PM, DerBaer said:

... when it's that player's time to activate a card?

"The following is meant to be read with a humours attitude, not a serious winy tone"

But the card does not say this right (unless I missed an FAQ)?.

I dont think you can add meanings and text to cards that is not there, gonna have to look up my rulebook...

2 hours ago, landoro said:

I dont think you can add meanings and text to cards that is not there, gonna have to look up my rulebook...

This is pretty much why this sub-forum exists in the first place right?

Everyone interprets words differently, and then we have a1bert come in and correct us all.

Yesterday's answer from Todd - I will keep you informed (It's not for GenCon, so it can take another few days)

1) This interpretation of Provoke is interesting. Let me think about that one for a while. If it’s relevant for the GenCon tournament let me know today or come see me before the event (I’ll be Marshal).

I really really - REALLY - hope they'll not set Provoke to fizzle at the end of the round instead of carrying on to that player's next activation. Provoke is such a wonderful card; and far too overlooked for what it does. I've found it missing from several squad builders for ages without anyone noticing; it is surprisingly overlooked for what it does.

4 hours ago, Cremate said:

I really really - REALLY - hope they'll not set Provoke to fizzle at the end of the round instead of carrying on to that player's next activation. Provoke is such a wonderful card; and far too overlooked for what it does. I've found it missing from several squad builders for ages without anyone noticing; it is surprisingly overlooked for what it does.

100% agree. Top 1 underrated card in the game

Ok. We have official rulling from Todd.

"After thinking about and discussing it a lot, Provoke (and any other “active next if able”) abilities only affect the current round.

CASE CLOSED

Aww, there goes the most spectacular and most undervalued command card down a notch. Still an amazing card, though, and probably of the most value early in a round anyway.