Annulian Crystal and Power of Darkness

Message

Sunstar · #1 Post by **Sunstar** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:44 pm

Am not sure but is it legitimate, for me to take one of the power dice generated by the power of darkness spell ? The description only says I have to take one of his power dice during his magic phase but does not specify I have to do it at the start of his of the magic phase. If I do this and not use it will it count towards in terms of causing a strength 4 hit for an unused dice as per the power of darkness description to the dark elf player?

So is this legal?

Sunstar

Flame of the Asuryan · Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:04 pm

Well, iam sorry, no....You have to generate Power/Dispel dice at the beginning of your magic phase. It's not RAW in the book but the big booh book says you have to generate them, so take this defination of the Crystal.

Musashi · #3 Post by **Musashi** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:09 pm

Probably, since the description says during.

I can't recall anyone ever trying to take a die as someone attempts to cast a spell, but live and learn.

As to whether it causes a point of damage, is disputable; as I recall the spell, only unused power dice cause damage, and if it is removed, the potential arcane power would be removed as well.

Elaithnir · #4 Post by **Elaithnir** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:07 am

Interesting thought, and I wish it were so, but I don't think so. Although, I'm open to being convinced. Anything to put the hurt on those damn Druchii...

Minsc · #5 Post by **Minsc** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:41 am

I always played it that the annulian took one of the 2 PD in the pool that all enemy spellcasters can use (might have played it wrong though.)

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that wichever PD you "steal", you steal it straight away.

Lhachmacar · #6 Post by **Lhachmacar** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:39 pm

Sounds fairly dodgy to me. Besides, PoD only specifies that "unused power dice" cause S4 hits; even if you could delay using the crystal until after you and your opponent generated casting and dispel dice, the die you stole would no longer be an unused power die but a dispel die (unused or not).

My interpretation would be that since you only generate dispel dice at the beginning of your opponent's magic phase, the Crystal would have to be used then. Just my two brass. It's still a great item and I make use of it frequently.

Musashi · #7 Post by **Musashi** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:50 pm

That is the interesting part of the description - during.

That would place it in a similar situation as Power Stones, who only generate PD when they are activated, not at the beginning of the phase.

I foresee this item being used to nerf spells when the caster is short of dice.

geoguswrek · #8 Post by **geoguswrek** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:38 pm

There are two questions: can i steal the dice whenever i want: looks like yes to me, but im unsure.
does this cause a hit: i don't think so.

Musashi · #9 Post by **Musashi** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:48 pm

The question becomes exactly as to upto when can you steal it? There is a case for upto the point the opposing player is about to cast the dice.

Then the question would be, if the opposing player has additional dice available, could he replace the lost dice with one or more?

As such, before he throws the dice, you can remove one.

Before the opposing player throws the dice, he can change his mind and use any number of dice available to him for casting.

Prince_Asuryan · #10 Post by **Prince_Asuryan** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:58 pm

You may take the dice at any time, from any pool.

Why would you want to take a PoD dice though, if he doesn't use them, he takes a hit. Take a pool dice.

Musashi · #11 Post by **Musashi** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:26 pm

However, if for example the opponent only has a spell left that has a target of 7, and one dice from the caster's pool, and one recently acquired Darkness dice, steal the pool dice, and he takes a hit, since it was ruled that casting requires the minimum number of dice to have even a remote chance of being successful.

geoguswrek · #12 Post by **geoguswrek** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:12 am

nice musashi!

Xzazzarai · #13 Post by **Xzazzarai** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:31 am

Is there a FAQ on this?

Musashi · #14 Post by **Musashi** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:37 am

Specifically, for what? Annulian Crystal?

GobbladasSquig · #15 Post by **GobbladasSquig** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:40 pm

Yeah, I believe it was in the DE FaQ that you can't dispose of left-over PoD-dice by trying to cast a spell of a casting value that you couldn't possibly reach.

Lord Anathir · #16 Post by **Lord Anathir** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:05 am

Prince_Asuryan wrote:You may take the dice at any time, from any pool.

Why would you want to take a PoD dice though, if he doesn't use them, he takes a hit. Take a pool dice.

This is wrong. Dice Generation MUST be done at the beginning of the phase. Page 105.

Musashi · #17 Post by **Musashi** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:49 pm

AB trumps BRB.

Minsc · #18 Post by **Minsc** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:28 pm

RAI trumps RAW. (at least where I play, thank god.)

Keith · #19 Post by **Keith** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:41 pm

Minsc wrote:RAI trumps RAW. (at least where I play, thank god.)

You are lucky.....

There are many tournaments where this is not the case.

I have no problem with RAW when it is legitimately unclear of how the rule is supposed to work.

But GW proves over and over, we have no idea what then intend, (mainly because they do not either)

The stubborn deamon banner makes opposing deamons stubborn as well?
I wouldn't have thought that was how they 'intended' it to be.