Hello Community!

I have got a question about about the Grappling Struts mechanic.

Let's say a Trade Federation drone has landed on an Asteroid using its Grappling Struts.

There is an enemy X-Wing in range 2. Both ships can fire at each other.

Scenario:

A small part of the Asteroid, on which the Trade Federation Drone has landed, is situated in the direct line of fire between these two ships.

Questions:

Does any of these ships get an additional green die because of the obstruction rule? I am wondering, because of the "ignore obstacles at range 0" wording on the Grappling Struts card.

Could the X-Wing use its "Trick Shot" Elite skill (if equipped) ?

The X-wing doesn't get an extra green while it defends, the droid does while it defends, trick shot on the X-Wing does trigger.

4 hours ago, Hiemfire said:

The X-wing doesn't get an extra green while it defends, the droid does while it defends, trick shot on the X-Wing does trigger.

Yep.

4 hours ago, Schu81 said:

"ignore obstacles at range 0"

.. means ignore the effects of. And +1 defense die due to obstruction is an effect of the obstacle from the attacker. Since the X-wing isnt ignoring the obstacle effects, the droid still gets the bonus die. Since Trick Shot is its own effect, and not an effect of the obstacle, it still applies.

"Ignores Obstacles" is, I believe, an aspect of the rules where logic is less useful than trust. I think there are two important things to note:

1. The obstruction effect of +1 defense die is a penalty to the attacker, rather than a bonus to the defender. So if the defender ignores, the attacker still suffers the penalty.

2. If you're ignoring obstacles, but you've got some trick that requires an obstacle, it works. Trying to split hairs with the language, IMHO, just makes things less clear. Presume it works, treat it like it works, and you'll have fewer issues. FFG's rules on this are very "have your cake and eat it too," where they want you to ignore the obstacle, but not entirely ignore it. A ship with Trick Shot can be ignoring an obstacle, and still gain the TS bonus, while denying their opponent an extra defense die. FFG wants these combos of upgrades to work together, and has consistently ruled that about ignoring obstacle effects.