I was plodding through the rules again, as I've been out of the loop for a while due to a crash and burn end to 2010, and I found a concern. I downloaded some player aides and they conflict with what I'm reading from the Rulebook. It states that during a rally step the Players must immediately perform a series of tasks and then have the option to perform an additional maneuver equal action. However according to the Player aide it says that the series of immediate tasks are also optional. I'd really like some help on this.
Is it mandatory during a rally step to shift stance one toward neutral or is this optional, is what I am essentially asking.