Perplex timing & Splash damage

[DS-00-0, FSD]

Two questions:

It has been ruled that you may not use Perplex in the middle of an action. How do you describe when an action ends. Here is the issue that came up this weekend:

Mandarin was given a ranged combat action and attempted to MC an opposing Beast. The attack was successful. Beast is now a friendly figure. Mystique wants to use Perplex on Beast to increase his damage. Then Beast will use Charge to move and attack an opposing character.

Can Perplex be used in this circumstance since technically the MC action is not done?

MC is kind of an odd situation, as you are attempting to resolve two actions at the same time.

It was ruled that since it was technically "before" Beast's assigned action, that it could be done.

Second Question:

Gambit is adjacent to opposing Iceman. Iceman also has two friendly figures adjacent to him (but neither are adjacent to Gambit). Gambit decides to use a ranged combat EE attack on Iceman. It hits and splash damage insues.

Since EE splash damage does not specifically target anyone, Gambit would take splash damage as well since he is adjacent to Iceman, correct?

[Tsannik]

1st answer: The only way Perplex could have been used is if Beast himself had Perplex. Not even Mandarin could have used Perplex.... it was technically Beast's turn. Now the only reason why Beast could do such a thing is because you as the MCer have the change to use ANY of Beast's powers.

2nd answer: If the roll was high enough to hit himself, then yes. He would take his own splash damage.

[ScrewTape]

You could perplex up Beast's damage BEFORE the MC, correct? Since the MC does not do damage the perplex would still be in effect.

[Tsannik]

Oh, yeah... very true...

Mystique could Perplex Beast before Mandarin tries for the MC. This would be legal.

[MikeTheWrath]

second question answer: If Gambit is adjacent to Iceman he wouldn't be able to make a ranged combat energy explosion attack.

[mark6574]

Originally posted by MikeTheWrath
second question answer: If Gambit is adjacent to Iceman he wouldn't be able to make a ranged combat energy explosion attack.
Yes he could. Since Iceman is hovering, you can still make ranged attacks. Figures can make range attacks against adjacent figures as long as one of them is hovering. Also, the grounded figured, Gambit in this case, would not be able to do it if any other grounded opposing figures were adjacent to him.

[MikeTheWrath]

Doh! Sorry about that. :o

[shin-goji]

I've mind controlled a character, then had him use multi-target EE on his adjacent comrades and made sure his mastermind was turned off. It was a devistating combination.

[Magneticstorm]

When was it ruled that you have to use perplex at the begining of the turn? That is not right the PC states

"PERPLEX By behaving in a misleading or unpredictable fashion, this
character makes opponents less effective in combat. (Optional) Once
during your turn, this character may add or subtract 1 to any combat value
(including range) for any character in the game. This effect lasts for the
duration of your turn. This character must be within 10 squares of the affected
character and have a clear line of fire to that character. If the Perplexed
character is damaged or healed during the turn, the effect ends."Once during your turn not at the beging of the turn.

I am perplexed by this ruling

[Mr. Pilkington]

Perplex doesn't have to happen at the beginning of the turn, but it cannot happen in the middle of an action. You could not have Thor performa running shot and in between the move and the attack have someone Perplex up his damage. You would have to declare the Perplex before Thor started his action. With MC it gets ugly. Once a target is successfully MCed then only the target's super powers can be used (exception: Probability Control) until the MCed figure's action is completed. It has nothing to do with the Perplex rules and everything to do with the Mind Control rules.

[Magneticstorm]

I still think you should be able to use perplex anytime during your turn. I use it to increase my attack value by one if I am that close with my role, or to increase an damage value IF I hit last minut. Perplex should be used at any time giving it it's unpredictability.....hence perplex.

OH WELL :disappoin

[Tsannik]

Yeah... all those 'any time' powers and abilities can really only be used before or after an action (with some exceptions).

[Nevest]

Magneticstorm,
You should really go to the WizKids site and print out the FAQ. The way you are using Perplex and possibly other powers is incorrect and could cause you problems if you decide to go play in a HeroClix tournament at some point.

Perplex must be used before the action is taken. You can Perplex up the attack or the damage before the attack dice are rolled but not afterwards based on what you roll. That should logically seem wrong.