1 – I’m a bit confused by the new enemy attack rules. The new rules reference says: “Enemy attacks are…

Question

1 – I’m a bit confused by the new enemy attack rules. The new rules reference says: “Enemy attacks are always initiated against both a player and a character.” “If a player other than the target player defends, the defending player becomes the target player for this attack.” (So if another player defends the target player changes but it doesn’t say the target character changes) “» If the defending ally leaves play prior to damage from the attack being dealt, the attack is considered to have no character defending. • If no character defends against the attack, the attack is considered undefended. All damage from the attack is dealt to the character targeted by the attack” (for comparison 1.5 says that for an undefended attack All damage from the attack is dealt to the target player’s identity (even if that identity is in alter-ego form).)

Step 2 only says that the target player changes not the target character. The only place where is looks like a new target character is declared is maybe in step 4 after damage is dealt to a defending ally or hero where is says “» The defending hero (or ally) is considered to have been attacked.” But if an ally, who exhausts to defend, leaves play during the attack who is the target character who gets the damage dealt to them? Is it the target character the attack was initiated against? So if an attack is initiated against my identity and another player defends for me with an ally and that ally leaves play due to a boost effect is my identity the target character who gets the damage dealt to them?

Do I become the target player again? It certainly feels more thematic that way. If Ultron is about to attack Shehulk and Spider woman tries to jump in the way but she is knocked down by a concussive blow, it makes more sense for Ultron to finish attacking Shehulk rather than have him turn his full attention to Carol Danvers who isn’t even there and is in alterego on her airbase. Or if an attack is made against say Hope Summers and I defend with an ally and that ally leaves play is Hope the target character who gets damaged?

Or is it the same as it was in the 1.5 rules reference where if an ally left play, the target players identity takes the damage if their ally leaves play during the attack? If this is the case through when did that identity become the targeted character? There doesn’t seem to be anything in the new rules to say that if another player defends with an ally for me then their identity becomes the targeted character.

Answer

— Alex Werner, FFG Game Rules Specialist