Reading Effects in Powers - Top to Bottom?

[malcolm_n]

As stated in the title, when reading a power, do you have to read top to bottom and take effects into consideration ONLY after everything else on the power before it was done?

Example, two powers read identical, except one is organized as

Effect: Shift your speed.
Attack: Str vs. AC
Hit:

- The other is -
Attack: Str vs. AC
Hit:
Effect: Shift your speed.


I figured this may be the case, since there are powers from earlier in printing (ph1, Martial Power, etc) that state before or after the attack; but recently those sorts of powers don't show up, and instead we get the above scenario with the new exception being

Effect: Before the attack, shift your speed.
Effect: After the Attack, shift your speed.

It looks like (now) you can choose when to do it UNLESS its spelled out to do it before or after.

Confusing? Yeah, that's why I ask lol.

 

[abyssaldeath]

You apply everything in order from where it is written top to bottom. This is stated in the PHB2 under "How to read a power".

Sequence: The order of information in a power description is a general guide to the sequence in which the power’s various effects occur. For example, an “Effect” entry might appear above attack information in a power description to indicate that something happens before you make the attack.

 

[the Jester]

As stated in the title, when reading a power, do you have to read top to bottom and take effects into consideration ONLY after everything else on the power before it was done?

Example, two powers read identical, except one is organized as

Effect: Shift your speed.
Attack: Str vs. AC
Hit:

- The other is -
Attack: Str vs. AC
Hit:
Effect: Shift your speed.

Yes, powers happen in order. Your first example, you shift before you attack. The second example, you shift after. I think the reason they added 'clarifying' text is that people would argue about this, despite it being spelled out in the PH- I think it's kind of easy to miss. Likewise, the sometimes use of "Hit or Miss" instead of "Effect".

 

[deadsmurf]

Go by the order of the lines of the power, unless there is specifically something that is "Before" and/or "after" the attack.

Pg 214 of PHB 3:
"Sequence: The order of information in a power description is a general guide to the sequence in which the power's effects occur. For example, an 'effect' entry might appear above attack information in a power description to indicate something happens before you make the attack."

so:
Effect: Shift 2 squares
Attack: Str vs AC
Hit: 1[W] + Str damage.

and

Attack: Str vs AC
Hit: 1[W] + Str Damage
Effect: Before the Attack shift 2 squares.

are exactly the same on timing issues.

(The same basic Idea is in phb1 also - but I grabbed PHB3 since its the most recent wording on the issue.)

 

[Mengu]

Yes, powers happen in order. Your first example, you shift before you attack. The second example, you shift after. I think the reason they added 'clarifying' text is that people would argue about this, despite it being spelled out in the PH- I think it's kind of easy to miss. Likewise, the sometimes use of "Hit or Miss" instead of "Effect".

Actually, interestingly, "Hit or Miss" is different than "Effect". For instance if the trigger condition is "Hit or Miss" and the target you're attacking uses an interrupt to teleport away, you neither hit, nor missed. So nothing happens. However if it was an "Effect" then that might not be dependent upon the target being viable (depends on the effect, like if the effect is make another attack against the target, and the target is no longer there, it obviously doesn't work, but if the effect is you spend a healing surge, then the fact that you neither hit nor missed doesn't matter).

 

[the Jester]

Actually, interestingly, "Hit or Miss" is different than "Effect". For instance if the trigger condition is "Hit or Miss" and the target you're attacking uses an interrupt to teleport away, you neither hit, nor missed.

Interesting- I would certainly deem that a miss. But I can see where you're coming from on that.

 

[malcolm_n]

Thank you, everybody. I appreciate the feedback and will use it going forward.

Oh, and doh for having not looked in the books after referring so many people to them myself .