Isaac Ironside's page

It's not meant to be restrictive, it says you "can" do something, not that you "can't" do something. Shields and any other cards whose usage condition becomes valid can be used.

What's it's saying is that you can't just do whatever you want at that stage, e.g. you can't just decide to cast Cure in the BYA phase. By default nothing happens in that phase other than powers that explicitly say they happen. But, once such a power has been triggered, it's the same as any other situation. If there's a check listed in the BYA phase you can still add bonuses like blessings to that check as well.

So then when there are armors/shields that say "reduce by 2 before or after you act" like Magic Padded Armor or "reduce by 2, or 3 if it's before or after you act" like Scalemail, those BYA/AYA clauses are restrictive, but any other reduction the card provides could be triggered on any damage event (if the damage type allows)?

Sorry if this has been asked before; I looked around for it and saw vague references to it but didn't find anything addressing it directly (even after re-reading the rulebook.)

If something deals damage to you "before you act", can you only respond by playing Armor/Shields that specifically mention being playable "before you act", or can you play Armor/Shields that don't mention timing at all (meaning the armor/shields that _do_ state "before you act" are just more restrictive than other armors/shields)?

On page 10 of the WotR rulebook, under "Encountering A Card" it says:

"Apply Any Effects That Happen Before You Act.
If any powers on the card you're encountering happen before you act, they take effect at this time. You may also use powers or cards that state they can be used before you act."

Is that last sentence supposed to be restrictive, meaning you can _only_ play things that mention this timing window, or does it just define a timing window in which _some things_ may be restricted but are not generally?

Thanks for the input.