Hello!

I have simple question but it have created some debate in my group. It says:

"Way of the Dragon (School Ability): Once per round during a duel or skirmish when you are targeted by an Attack check with a melee weapon, you may use one of your weapons readied in a one-handed grip (or one of your hands, if it is empty) to ward or trap.

If you ward, the attacker must reroll dice containing (success) or (explosive success) up to your school rank.
If you trap, reduce the TN of your next Attack check against the attacker this scene by your school rank (to a minimum of 1).
You cannot choose this weapon for Attack actions"

The question is, when you are exactly "targeted", if you have to declare the ward or trap before the dice are rolled or after the dice are rolled so you can see the results and decide, or even choose to trap at the end of the check (for example). I'm not sure, I understand that the mechanic of re-rolling works after de the dice are rolled (such as adversities), and it is still a valid moment for "when you are targeted". But seems legit for the GM to force the decition to ward or trap o nothing at the step 1 (declare intention). I think that is not unique way of understanding this. When is the moment of "being targeted by a check", is it all the entire check steps or just step 1?

I do read ‚when targeted‘ as the instance the target is declared, myself; that is Step 2 4. the latest.

Anyhow, from a balance perspective, allowing the rolled dice to be examined before activation is, for what it‘s worth, overpowered. Even if interpreting the wording as ambiguous, it would still be at the GM‘s discretion.

You choose your target before making the roll.

Otherwise you could roll, and then choose a target? That doesn't make sense, and not just for attack actions.

From Core Book pages 22-24, the sequence of check is declare intention, determine details (Skill, Approach, TN etc.), Roll, modify Rolled Dice (Advantages and Disadvantages etc.), choose Kept Dice, resolve Kept Dice.

I would rule Mirumoto school ability is chosen before the roll, since the ability is triggered by character being targeted. Being targeted is part of attacker declaring their intention to hit the character.