I think that all is correct except an error in step 3. To expand, the dragon have to move at least 1 movement point, so, he can move 1, expand to attack and then use the other 2 movement points, but he cant expand in other direction without moving any space

Not legal if the monster is melee. Once you move you are committed to move unless performing another action. This means you can't expand until you declare the action. In order to attack as melee your monster must be adjacent to the target (unless they have reach). Ergo, since you are shrunk while moving you would not be adjacent to your target to allow the attack action for movement interruption.

Chaos Pancake said:

If you want a definitive answer, contact FFG via the Rules Questions link at the bottom of the page. The only thing you're going to get in these forums is fans telling you what they think the answer is.

both Varikas and Rico are wrong . According to Justin the OP exaple is completely legal and possible without spending movmentpoints on the first expanse. 0 point movement it is called and works as described. Also notice the difference between attack action and attack. Announing an attack action without being in melee range is totally possible, expanding into said melee range via interrupting a 0 point movement. Only the attack itself need to be in melee range. (difference Attack action to attack process)!

I have been thinking a lot about movement in the past couple of days, relating to big monsters in particular. I believe the best way to consider the problem is to review the regular rules for movement:

“When a hero player performs a move action, he receives a number of movement points equal to his hero’s Speed (represented by a “boot” on the Hero sheet).”

They can declare such an action twice, and receive double movement points. Then they can resolve their turn by spending movement points as they see fit. Note that the “action” is resolved upon receiving the movement points. This is the true mechanic behind being able to interrupt movement. You spend movement points, you perform an action, and if you have any more movement points you may use them, or you may choose not to (and they disappear at the end of the hero’s turn).

If a large monster declares two movement actions, and receives double his speed to move, I would argue that he cannot pause between “movement actions” because in actual fact, his actions have been expended, and he has no actions left with which to interrupt his movement. He cannot expand half-way between his journey without a reason for expanding. (Remember: expansion is only possible when interrupting movement, or when movement is ending.)

If a large monster wishes to enjoy a movement followed by an expansion then another movement and expansion (sometimes gaining extra distance) he must declare his actions accordingly: declare movement action, receive movement points, shrink, use all movement points (thus ending movement), expand, declare another movement action, receive movement points, use all, expand.

If a figure uses only one action as a movement action, they receive their movement points, and they have one action left. I.e. before their next action is declared, their first action is already over (even though they have unspent movement points). It is therefore not productive or helpful to think of movement as beginning with receiving these movement points. When your shadow dragon receives these movement points, he does not immediately shrink into a tiny ball and say, “hey, let’s get going.” He gets the points, and he waits for further instruction.

It is also not a little disingenuous to claim that you can interrupt movement:

a) Before any movement points have been spent.

b) After all movement points have been spent. (Assuming that the logic of steps 1-3 could be applied at the end of movement too).

I realise these mechanics are different to what FFG offer, but I think the following definitions fit together very well:

1. “movement action”: is complete upon receiving movement points up to figure’s speed.

2. “movement”: is the spending of at least one movement point, and is can be employed at any time during a figure’s turn, as long as the hero has movement points to spend.

3. “movement points”:

a. 1 movement point lets a figure move to an adjacent space. At the end of a hero’s turn he loses any remaining movement points.

b. Movement points may be spent before or after other actions.

4. Large Monsters: (where shrinking and expanding are understood as per current rules)

a. “Shrinking”: only occurs immediately before a movement point is spent.

b. “Expanding” may only occur:

i. Immediately if movement points reduce to 0.

ii. Immediately before another action

iii. If the OL wishes to end his monster’s movement (after which, no more shrinking or expanding is permitted).

It works for me.

your argumentation is completely correct up to the point that you missed the most recent offical ruling abot 0 point movement which say that you can shrink to move, and immediatly before using any movement points, interrupt the movement to attack and expand.

Can you post a link to Justin's response? Is it in the Adam Sez thread?

Nevermind. Found it. Looks like our group will be reworking large monster strategies. Thanks for the clarification.

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/863073/adam-and-justin-sez-thread-potentially-official/page/3

Maybe Support me on this, and write to [email protected] to support a change or least a revisit of the last ruling concerning 0point movement of large monsters.

Again, thanks for the info. So, my original post, under the initial game design, is incorrect. But, could become the standard after additional testing on FFG's part. Think I'll stick with my original interpretation until they make a deciscion on it.

Morthai said:

In that case, "shrinking" becomes a part of the "movement action" as well. By the same token, it would be possible to move to full speed, interrupt to attack, expand, attack, shrink (onto a square of your choice), then expand again.

I see the above two situations as slightly overzealous interpretations of the rules. Remember: Shrinking and Expanding are contrivances which enable large monsters to move through dungeons with slightly more flexibility; they are not racial or class-type abilities. Using them as such is kind of game-breaking.

A shrinked Large Monster, should be adjacent to at least one Hero in order to be able to attack with a basic melee attack.
If he's adjacent to another Hero AFTER expanding then he can attack both Heroes.
Movement process itself suggests how it should be done - LM shrinks in the direction he is moving, and the rest of him "follows" the temporary 1-tile figure.

Expanding a monster in the "opposite direction" in order to get in range without spending the normally required mov points - well my whole group considers that CHEATING, because it seriously looks like cheating, and I wouldn't consider it anything different.

For me it's a similar situation as in W40k TT when someone measures movement from the front of a miniature's base and yet puts it in front of the measure tape's end (thus gaining additional movement equal to that base' length) - it's cheating.