At 1st level, 2nd level, and every four levels
thereafter, a master of many styles may select a bonus
style feat or the Elemental Fist feat (Advanced Player’s
Guide 158). He does not need to meet the prerequisites of
that feat, except the Elemental Fist feat. Starting at 6th
level, a master of many styles can choose to instead gain
a wildcard style slot. Whenever he enters one or more
styles, he can spend his wildcard style slots to gain feats
in those styles’ feat paths (such as Earth Child Topple) as
long as he meets the prerequisites. Each time he changes
styles, he can also change these wildcard style slots. This
ability replaces a monk’s standard bonus feats.
So, what exactly does this wildcard feat actually do?
The obvious implication is that it works much like the Brawler's Martial Flexibility power. But how much like? The action economy and times per day are missing. Or is my inference completely wrong and it does something else?
Whenever he enters one or more styes, he can spend his wildcard style slots to gain feats in those styles’ feat paths...
Each time he changes styles, he can also change these wildcard style slots.
That's how it works, no actions required, no limits in its uses per day.
It works like the ability says it does. No action require (apart from style activations).
At 1st level, 2nd level, and every four levels
thereafter, a master of many styles may select a bonus
style feat or the Elemental Fist feat (Advanced Player’s
Guide 158). He does not need to meet the prerequisites of
that feat, except the Elemental Fist feat. Starting at 6th
level, a master of many styles can choose to instead gain
a wildcard style slot. Whenever he enters one or more
styles, he can spend his wildcard style slots to gain feats
in those styles’ feat paths (such as Earth Child Topple) as
long as he meets the prerequisites. Each time he changes
styles, he can also change these wildcard style slots. This
ability replaces a monk’s standard bonus feats.So, what exactly does this wildcard feat actually do?
The obvious implication is that it works much like the Brawler's Martial Flexibility power. But how much like? The action economy and times per day are missing. Or is my inference completely wrong and it does something else?
This is what's called a "Triggered" ability in Magic the Gathering and like games.
Turning a Style Feat "On" is an "Activated" ability that requires a Swift Action; a "Triggered" ability is an effect that happens automatically when the requirements are met.
A more-precise form of wording would be:
Wildcard Feat - Whenever you Enter a Style, you may choose any one Feat that lists that Style Feat as a Prerequisite and gain the effects of that Feat for as long as you have that Style active. You must meet all Prerequisites of any Feat you wish to choose with this ability.
Think of it as the brawlers ability but only with feats associated with their active style(s).
Whenever he enters one or more styes, he can spend his wildcard style slots to gain feats in those styles’ feat paths...
Each time he changes styles, he can also change these wildcard style slots.
That's how it works, no actions required, no limits in its uses per day.
Forseti is correct. Unlimited use, no additional action. We figured that it wouldn't cause analysis paralysis because it's from a much smaller set of choices than, say, the brawler. Now you can truly be a master of many different styles!
The question may be silly, but I don't get why the dip is no fantastic anymore. "He does not need to meet the prerequisites of that feat" still applies to Style feats...