Confusion over choosing an option vs. declaring it

[kjamma4]

New to TFT so I've been reading the forums about the options your figure can take, changing them, defending, etc.

Is it RAW to actually declare your option out loud? If not, is this something everyone does anyway?

In my mind, it seems like you should be able to move your figure based upon adjDX (and your engaged/disengaged/HTH status) and then depending upon the length of your move and other facts, be able to execute in adjDX order your "attack"

I know you can change your option but is there any need to verbally declare in the first place?

[Chris Rice]

Originally Posted by kjamma4

New to TFT so I've been reading the forums about the options your figure can take, changing them, defending, etc.

Is it RAW to actually declare your option out loud? If not, is this something everyone does anyway?

In my mind, it seems like you should be able to move your figure based upon adjDX (and your engaged/disengaged/HTH status) and then depending upon the length of your move and other facts, be able to execute in adjDX order your "attack"

I know you can change your option but is there any need to verbally declare in the first place?

Actually you move your figures based on which side won initiative (and their MA) so DX has nothing to do with movement order.

But you're right, since you can change what action you take at any time up until you make it I see no reason to declare it. You can just say "I'm moving up to half my MA (or whatever you choose) and then decide what action to take once your turn comes.

Im curious how others see this.

[RobW]

Originally Posted by Chris Rice

But you're right, since you can change what action you take at any time up until you make it I see no reason to declare it. You can just say "I'm moving up to half my MA (or whatever you choose) and then decide what action to take once your turn comes.

Im curious how others see this.

Same. It is much simpler to explain and think about the turn sequence in this way, rather than the wrestling with the idea that for some reason you are choosing an option which you don't execute and then may later change anyway.

Anyway, although the explanation in the rules is awkward, the idea that the figures establish their positions, and then the options available are constantly changing during the action phase, is one of several key things to my mind that make the TFT combat system so enjoyable.

[malchidael]

That's exactly how I've played it - no need to declare action until your action turn.

[oldwolf]

I think Chris Rice has it right.

[Lord Twig]

If you are dodging or defending then it would be helpful to declare that first before anyone else acts. Other than that it doesn't matter.

[kjamma4]

Originally Posted by Lord Twig

If you are dodging or defending then it would be helpful to declare that first before anyone else acts. Other than that it doesn't matter.

Why would that be helpful? Couldn’t that tip your hand?

[Skarg]

Originally Posted by kjamma4

Is it RAW to actually declare your option out loud? If not, is this something everyone does anyway? I know you can change your option but is there any need to verbally declare in the first place?

No, there is no need to declare an option before you actually do it.

The Options list and the ritual of announcing your intended action before you actually need to is there to help people learn the concept that options have some limits related to how far you move.

Even though RAW mentions declaring an action at the start of a turn, IT IS NOT NECESSARY AND IN PRACTICE WE (AND ALL OF THE PUBLISHED DESCRIPTIONS OF PLAY) NEVER DID IT EXCEPT WHEN IT WAS LOCKING A FIGURE INTO ONE OPTION (e.g. moving over 1/2 MA), because until you do actually use an option, you can always change your option later at any point, so it doesn't matter if you declare it or not (but it can be helpful to do so to communicate to your comrades, and help you and the GM remember what is probably going to happen, etc).

Originally Posted by kjamma4

In my mind, it seems like you should be able to move your figure based upon adjDX (and your engaged/disengaged/HTH status) and then depending upon the length of your move and other facts, be able to execute in adjDX order your "attack"

Yes (except your first "adjDX" I think you meant to write "MA").

You can also commit to an action before your adjDX, if it is Defending or Dodging in response to an enemy attack.

[kjamma4]

Originally Posted by Skarg

No, there is no need to declare an option before you actually do it.

Great. I did not see "declare" used anywhere in the rules so either I completely missed it or did not know the lingo!

Originally Posted by Skarg

Even though RAW mentions declaring an action at the start of a turn, IT IS NOT NECESSARY AND IN PRACTICE WE (AND ALL OF THE PUBLISHED DESCRIPTIONS OF PLAY) NEVER DID IT EXCEPT WHEN IT WAS LOCKING A FIGURE INTO ONE OPTION (e.g. moving over 1/2 MA), because until you do actually use an option, you can always change your option later at any point, so it doesn't matter if you declare it or not (but it can be helpful to do so to communicate to your comrades, and help you and the GM remember what is probably going to happen, etc).

Perfect.

Originally Posted by Skarg

Yes (except your first "adjDX" I think you meant to write "MA").

Yes, got excited. ;)

Originally Posted by Skarg

You can also commit to an action before your adjDX, if it is Defending or Dodging in response to an enemy attack.

This makes perfect sense and satisfies both from a game play and realism point of view. This is analagous to the HERO game system where you can Abort to Dodge and you become harder to hit (but also forgo your ability to perform another action when it is your turn to act.)

Further on that subject, when you Dodge/Defend in TFT, it is only against one attack, correct? Not for the rest of the turn against all attacks that you are able to dodge/defend?

[Skarg]

Originally Posted by kjamma4

Further on that subject, when you Dodge/Defend in TFT, it is only against one attack, correct? Not for the rest of the turn against all attacks that you are able to dodge/defend?

No, in TFT, once you dodge or defend one attack, your option affects all later attacks of the same type (dodge affects only ranged, defend affects only non-ranged) for the rest of that turn.