Regarding Targeted and Affected (Answer)

By SouLx, in Descent: Journeys in the Dark

Sorry if this was actually clear in a different topic, it just seemed that it was confusing to more than just myself. So I asked Fantasy Flight Games what the difference between being 'targeted' by an attack and 'affected' by an attack.

Here is my question:

I was wondering about attacks that 'affect' other heroes/figures. (Such as an attack that has Fire Breath or Blast.)

For these attacks are the figures beyond the initial target now a 'target' of the attack and able to use skills that specify that they have to be a target for the attack?

How, specifically, does 'affected' by an attack differ from being directly a target of an attack? (Besides the possibility to not be able to use these skills/items.)

For example; Can you use Defend on a character that is affected by Fire Breath (Not the original target of the attack.), if they are adjacent to you?

Thanks for taking the time for my question.

Here is the answer I got from Justin Kemppainen:

There is a difference between "targeted" and "affected by." Skills/abilities/etc that trigger based upon attacks "targeting" will not trigger when an attack "affects" figures. To your example: a character affected by Fire Breath is not eligible for the Knight to use Defend on.

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Thanks for the clarification Fantasy Flight Games!

Edited by SouLx

So then when you are "attacked" does that count as being "affected" then. Tombles ability says when you are "attacked". So that must mean either language is sufficient to have him roll die from an adjacent hero. Thanks for asking.

So then when you are "attacked" does that count as being "affected" then. Tombles ability says when you are "attacked". So that must mean either language is sufficient to have him roll die from an adjacent hero. Thanks for asking.

I believe Tomble Burrowell's heroic ability only states "If you are attacked..." that it would trigger. If you are affected by an attack you are still being attacked, however you are not a target. This is of course my interpretation, and for a clearer answer it could be asked to Fantasy Flight Games.

Edited by SouLx

I don't remember where it was stated, but I believe that FFG had already ruled that he would still retain his additional dice from his ability because it is worded as an effect against him. Also, using the Heavy Cloak would not be an option if the hero with it was not the initial target because of the same phrasing on the card.

Lets try to simplify this.

Target(ed) is if your figure was in the space wich is the target of the initial attack.

Affected your figure was not in the initial targeted space of the attack, but still had to roll defense dice because of an attack, examples would be blast and fire breath

Attacked is if you have to roll defence dice in responce to an oppsing figure rolling attack dice.

This is how it makes sense to me. Lets take heavy cloak as an example. The card says something to the affect of If you are targeted by an attack you may exhuast this card to remove a surge from that attack. Keyword is target. Was your character in the space originally targeted by the attack? if yes then you can exhuast the card, If say your figure was instead in the blast radius then no you cannot exhaust the card.

Edited by RagsMckay