I'm new to WFRP 3e and I'm building my first character for an upcoming campaign. I've settled on the High Elf Swordmaster, and I have a question regarding the Speed of Asuryan Support action card.

It seems similar to Parry, Dodge and other Active Defense cards, but it doesn't have the Active Defense trait (or even Defense). Is this a typo/error or is it used as an action on my turn to affect my opponent's action the following turn? As you can see, I'm a bit confused. How does this card work?

Thanks in advance for any help!

The way I read it you would use it in a similar way as block, parry and dodge. It has the defense icon in the corner, though its mainly the description that makes me think it acts similar to the "active defenses." Just put tokens on it when attacked and add the necessary misfortune die to the attackers pool.

As I only own the Player's Guide and Vault, I don't have the physical card (it comes in the Adventurer's Toolkit, and those components aren't in the PV).

So, to be clear, it has the Defense icon on it but doesn't state either Defense of Active Defense as a trait. How do I know if it's used like Block, Parry and Dodge (Active Defense) or like Guarded Position (Defensive action, but played on my turn)? I could see an argument for both ways. Does anyone know of an official ruling on this card? I couldn't find anything about it in the errata.

When it says "After you have been declared the target of a Melee Attack or Ranged Attack ..." is basicly code for active defense. It means you don't wait for your turn. In the book there is no shield icon but the card has one.

Yipe said:

Those traits do not influence how the cards work in any way. Instead they interact with other effect. What it means is that speed of asuryan works exactly like a regular defence card, but when the player is allowed to refresh an active defence card or has to put tokens on one, that card can't be the target of the effect.

Gallows said:

I understand now. I'm new to this game, so I often overlook the more subtle differences (i.e. traits don't influence the card, but do influence how effects from other action cards interact with it).

Thanks to everyone for the explanations, they definitely helped.

Yes, so it works as an Active Defense but doesn't have the trait. This means that those Action Cards that say "cannot use any Active Defense cards" does not apply to this card, thus allowing the owner to have a defense card despite not actually being allowed to have one.