"A character may ditch any of his Followers or Objects at any time by leaving them faceup in the space he occupies." (Core Rules, p 16)

Can unscrupulous players exploit this rule to prevent Events from harming them?

(1) I'm in the Dungeon and have a Sword and a Magic Shield. I draw Green Mist. But just before the Green Mist strikes - oops, butterfingers! - I ditch the Sword and Shield, and they don't get discarded after all.
(2) One of my followers is about to become a Werewolf. But hang on, it won't be the Maiden, since I ditched her just before the full moon came out from behind that cloud. I guess it'll have to be the Jester then.

Other Events you could similarly use this exploit against: Electrical Storm, Hatemonger, Hidden Chasm, Highland Raiders, Horse Thief, Raiders and Whirlwind (inconsequentially). Other cards: Amphiptere, Storm Caller, Storm Dragon, Tinker Imp and Cyclops.

I think Elliot said you're not allowed to ditch stuff to prevent someone from claiming it, stealing it etc., but has this been made official?

I propose that you may only ditch followers & objects in your own turn, and only (a) at the start of your turn before you move, (b) after moving before you draw cards or © at the end of your turn.

Séamus Mór said:

Make it at end of turn which matches when you can exchange trophies for additional Strength and Craft!

Ell.

Ps. What you suggest is allowed. If the Druid draws an Event he can change his alignment before encountering the Event. Similarly if you want to ditch an Adventure Card before encountering an Event or before a character attacks you, this is also acceptable! After that I would suggest only allowing it at the end of a characters turn.

It's allowed? It's dastardly behaviour and has never occurred to me to play it. I couldn't stoop so low. I think ditching at the start and end of a turn would be acceptable.

Séamus Mór said:

Not everyone want to ditch a object or follower, because other players can steal it from you by landing on those cards.

You rather want to lose it.

But you are right, that you can ditch any object or follower before you encounter the aventure card.

I am with you Seamus. I always try to be primitive. First: talisman is not the game for quickiest reaction. I mean, it is not about I said it first, the sky is mine. You may ditch item before you roll die or after you rolled. Then you can ditch, when you completed your move and landed somewhere. This is still also time for your oponent character to ditch something. Once you landed on a space and declared "encounter char", then both of you has to resolve this duel first and only then can ditch whatever.

in case with draw cards is more less the same logic. you can ditch before you draw. when you draw a card, you "encounter" this card with your full ammunition on shoulders. once resolved - then can ditch whatever. if it is draw 2-3 cards, then it is the same. you have drawn them, you have to encounter them with you full ammo. but if you have drawn 1 card in draw 2-3 space and you want to prevent to draw another cards, then you can ditch you cards still. if you landed on a space with face up card already, then like in situation with a char, you can ditch before you declare encounter the space and card.

in simple words: if you opening card, starting encounter, then it is time to deal with it. it is too late then to wash your teeth

gedasm said:

Using your thought process the Druid would not be able to change alignment in response to drawing Evil Darkness or any other Event which is alignment driven! If a player draws something like the Storm Caller, he is allowed to ditch his Armour, if he so chooses, before encountering the Storm Caller! Likewise if a player attacks another player, either player is allowed to ditch an Item if he so chooses, before the battle or psychic combat takes place. E.G. The Assassin lands on the Druid and declares he wants to Assassinate him. The Druid declares that he is ditching the Amulet and then casts Invisibility on himself, thus evading the Assassins attack! I suggest though that items cannot be ditched once attack rolls have taken place for the battle or psychic combat.

Ell.

perhaps you are right. Anytime is anytime...

though it is difficult to imagine situation, if you are attacked by somebody (in example somebody is stoling something from you), you just simply saying: look, I put this wound on the floor. Try to take it next time :-)

druid has doubled sentence: anytime ando also example, that anytime really means anytime

Ditching items at any time by the rulebook is perfectly fine, but if its player v player I'd recommend it should be done before the battle or psychic combat is resolved (pre-dice roll)!

Ell.