Does Biggs force abilities to be used?

[WWHSD 9,273]

If a TIE Bomber with Deadeye and Proton Torpedoes has a focus and a target lock on an enemy ship that is in range one of Biggs (Biggs is in arc and at the same range as his buddy) does it have to use Deadeye to take the shot at Biggs instead of his target locked buddy?

 

In the same vein, if Rymer has Deadeye and a focus and wants to fire cluster missiles at a target at range 2 while Biggs at range three, is he forced to use his ability to extend the range to make Biggs a legal target?

 

I'm leaning towards the "may" still being optional even if using it would make Biggs a legal target but I'm not 100% sure that I'm correct.

Edited October 18, 2016 by WWHSD

[digitalbusker 2,248]

Letting you decide not to use the "may" abilities seems consistent with letting you decide not to use the weapon that can hit Biggs.

On the other hand, weapon selection happens in an earlier step than target declaration, and that's probably the underlying logic behind the Biggs change. But Deadeye and Major Rhymer might happen during target declaration, thus making them Biggsable.

In summary: good question.

[Achowat 131]

If a TIE Bomber with Deadeye and Proton Torpedoes has a focus and a target lock on an enemy ship that is in range one of Biggs (Biggs is in arc and at the same range as his buddy) does it have to use Deadeye to take the shot at Biggs instead of his target locked buddy?

My understanding of the timing chart would be 1. Choose a weapon (ordinance) 2. Choose an enemy (you can, and therefore must choose Biggs) 3. Resolve attack.

 

It's a very, very tricky question though.

[TheRealStarkiller 3,446]

My understanding is that if you techically can hit Biggs with the chosen weapon, you must attack him. As easy as that. Easy ruling. Straight forward.

[xtoddh 10]

the new ruling on Biggs makes using a TL for ordinance a little more preferred (when up against a Biggs List).  

[WWHSD 9,273]

I submitted a rules question. Hopefully they answer it before the next FAQ drops.

[nigeltastic 3,808]

Let's see if the flow chart helps us here given the wording in the faq:

"Biggs' ability does not trigger if a weapon is chosen which cannot target Biggs"

Well the order is:

Measure range

Pick weapon

Declare target

Pay cost

Become defender

Edit: after rereading how dead eye works it seems that Biggs and dead eye/the major all trigger during the declare target step. The issue here is that Biggs doesn't trigger once, Biggs is an ongoing effect. Given that it seems that as part of declaring your target you must determine if you wish to use dead eye or not before picking which ship to shoot. Immediately upon deciding this Biggs will either be active or inactive depending on your choice. Basically I think it is easiest to look at it not as Biggs ever forcing anything but rather look at Biggs as binary of being on or off.

Measure ranges. Choose proton torpedo. Move to declare target. Do you wish to use dead eye? No. Legal targets are those you have locks on at r2-3. Or yes you do wish to use dead eye. Biggs is the legal target due to ability being active.

Edited October 18, 2016 by nigeltastic

[Vineheart01 6,403]

i think it comes down to does biggs deny you the "may" on deadeye. Considering its not a different weapon, i'd think he does deny you the "may" and  you have to target him.

Agree though needs a clarification faq. That one could be argued for weeks.

[Klutz 1,590]

My understanding is that if you techically can hit Biggs with the chosen weapon, you must attack him. As easy as that. Easy ruling. Straight forward.

 

This would be my own understanding as well.

 

Before the FAQ, this question was obvious: if, through the use of any abilities and/or secondary weapons you could attack Biggs, you had to attack Biggs.

The only thing the recent FAQ changed is that Biggs cannot force your choice of weapon.

 

My understanding of the timing chart would be:

1. “Declare Target” step
   1. Measure range to enemy ships and check attacker's firing arc
   2. Attacker chooses weapon <- Proton Torpedoes
   3. Declare target of the attack <- Can you use any combination of abilities to target Biggs? If so, you must.
   4. Pay cost to perform the attack (if applicable)
   5. Target of the attack becomes the defender

 

We're gonna need a FAQ update though, because this isn't clear at all.

Edited October 18, 2016 by Klutz

[Yodas Mum 63]

 

We're gonna need a FAQ update though, because this isn't clear at all.

Where is the unclarity?

[USCGrad90 884]

 

We're gonna need a FAQ update though, because this isn't clear at all.

Where is the unclarity?

I agree. If you pick a weapon that can target Biggs, you MUST target Biggs.

[WWHSD 9,273]

Prompt response from Frank:

 

In response to your rules question:

Rules Question:

Does Biggs force the use of abilities that would make him a legal target for an attack?

 

Example 1: If a TIE Bomber with Deadeye and Proton Torpedoes has a focus and a target lock on an enemy ship that is in range 1 of Biggs (Biggs is in arc and at the same range as his buddy) does it have to use Deadeye to take the shot at Biggs instead of his target locked buddy?

Example 2: If Major Rhymer has Deadeye and a focus and wants to fire cluster missiles at a target at range 2 while Biggs at range 3, is he forced to use his ability to extend the range to make Biggs a legal target?

 

 

 

Example 1: No. The TIE bomber could choose to not use the first effect of Deadeye (as it is a may effect to treat "Attack (target lock)" as Attack (focus)”). In that example, by choosing to use Proton Torpedoes, the only valid attack you have with that weapon is the other ship so Biggs’s ability does not come into effect.

 

Example 2: No. Again, the effect that would cause Rhymer to be able to attack Biggs is an optional effect (“may”). If you do not choose to use those effects, Biggs cannot be a valid target.

 

If you could attack Biggs instead of a ship at range 1 (via non-optional game effects) you cannot choose to attack the other ship.

[Klutz 1,590]

All of these email rulings.

 

And I haven't spotted a single one that I don't agree with!!   

We love you Frank!     

[Vineheart01 6,403]

Hmm, its almost like they really want us to stop using biggs or something!

[digitalbusker 2,248]

All of these email rulings.

 

And I haven't spotted a single one that I don't agree with!!   

We love you Frank!     

Not even the one where Lightning Reflexes finishes its resolution before its activation window starts?

[Klutz 1,590]

 

Not even the one where Lightning Reflexes finishes its resolution before its activation window starts?

 

 

?

[digitalbusker 2,248]

Not even the one where Lightning Reflexes finishes its resolution before its activation window starts?

 

?

I'm talking about this craziness.

[TheRealStarkiller 3,446]

Hmm, its almost like they really want us to stop using biggs or something!

 

Cheer up, there is a bright side. Biggs might survive the opening salvo now. I can see him smiling.

[BlodVargarna 4,041]

Hmm, its almost like they really want us to stop using biggs or something!

 

Cheer up, there is a bright side. Biggs might survive the opening salvo now. I can see him smiling.

His big bright smile framed by his glorious mustache. Ahh Biggs. ...

[BlodVargarna 4,041]

Biggs' new best buds: Wes, Black One, and Expert Handling. Take away the TL, and take away their hope.