The Mummy's Mask rulebook says:
RULES: OPTIONAL VS. REQUIRED CHECKS
•(1) If you are instructed to attempt a check, you must do so.
•(2) If you are instructed to succeed at a check to do a thing, and
the instruction does not use the word “may,” you must attempt
the check; if you succeed, you must do that thing.
•(3) If you are instructed to succeed at a check or do a thing, you
must attempt the check; if you fail, you must do that thing.
•(4) If you are instructed to either attempt a check or do something
else, choose one of those options.
•(5) If you are presented with 2 or more options, none of which
require a check, you may choose any of those options.
The henchman(woman?) Alu-Demon Sister (RotR, used in SotRu 2-5D) has a power (in a very common form):
Succeed at an Arcane or Divine 10 check or you may not play Attack spells.
This seems to be case (3). So the check is not optional, even if you have no intention of playing an Attack spell.
So:
[A] If Sajan is at the Glassworks, and he encounters the Alu-Demon Sister (this can happen in SotRu 2-5D), Sajan has to attempt the Arcane/Divine 10 check, and (per Glassworks) discard the top card of his deck if he fails that check, even if he was using his hands or a weapon for his combat check.
[B] With a power feat CD Seelah has the power:
At the start of your turn, you may examine the top card of your location deck. If it is a boon, put it on the bottom of the deck (X and add 1d6 to your next check this turn).
If Seelah examines the deck, finds a boon, puts on the bottom of the deck, then explores and finds the Alu-Demon Sister, Seelah has to use the bonus d6 on the Arcane/Divine check, not the Combat check, even if Seelah is using a weapon for her combat check.
Yes?
We play it as a 'yes' because it is not written as: "if you would play a spell... succeed at a ... check or...'
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
We play it as NO, as -although, strictly speaking, it may contradict RAW due to its wording- the *intent* of the Alu-Sister seems obvious, from RPG perspective: characters who attack her with spells must overcome her Spell Resistance; anyone else doesn't have to do anything.
We're far from asking for a FAQ, as it's such a minor detail and Vic's/Mike's answer would probably be along the lines that the card works as is, and the impact of the wording doesn't merit a new FAQ, which seems reasonable.
For what it's worth, I know that you know that in the Obsidian app, you only roll these checks when you *actually* try to play a spell (or a weapon for Goblin Warchanter/Harpies) :)
I noticed a similar card in the Obsidian app is worded "Before you play a spell with the Attack trait..." or something to that effect. This makes a lot more sense.
I checked Vulture Demon in Wrath -- its wording is similar to the Alu-Demon Sister.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I think we all agree that
A) It should work and be written as per the Obsidian app
B) Since it's not, by RAW the check is mandatory even if you have no intention to play a spell
C) It's your game, you don't need an official FAQ to play it as you feel you should
Noted. We will discuss.