This also what I'm thinking. The Cat has a deserved reputation as a rules guru, but as it's written, I think rather than just purely upgrading your hammer-grabbin' capabilities, Splitlip offers a choice: fast and sloppy or slow and careful.

I still could see it being overruled by designer intention, in any case. I think they WANT Splitlip to be the hammer accelerator he first appeared to be, otherwise it could hurt sales of the Scenario pack. (Cynicism.)

Edit: let it be known, regardless of how Splitlip actually works, I'll be picking up the Mighty Scenario pack because Mighty Iron Man looks really neat and those pogs are cool.

If Splitlip were intended to work as a free action guaranteed pickup, I think the BoS text:

If the friendly character is given a power action to place that Hammer on its character card this turn, the roll automatically succeeds and the Hammer is considered to be "equipped" to that character and that character can use its abilities as listed on the Hammer's card.

Would have to read:

If the friendly character makes a relic roll to place that Hammer on its character card this turn, the roll automatically succeeds and the Hammer is considered to be "equipped" to that character and that character can use its abilities as listed on the Hammer's card.

They're both relic rolls but the automatic success seems to hinge on it being via Power Action.

Think of a character with the following Power:

"When rolling for a relic you may instead give this character a Double Power Action automatically succeed on the roll."

A character with that ability is still considered to be rolling for trigger purpose whether he uses regular rules or his modified trait.

Again, that's how I'm reading the ability verbatim and based on how other similar powers have been worded in the past. What the actual intention and answer may be can obviously vary if history has any indication.

This or Splitlip would ready, "Give this character a Power Action as a Free Action".

Nope.

If the BoS is indeed a "relic roll", then the automatic success only hinges on the action being given the same turn the hammer was placed in the square of the friendly character.

This is assuming the BoS effect is a "relic roll" and it reads like this:
The mention of it needing to be a power action is redundant as all relic rolls are Power Actions per the rulebook.

Then they have redundant wording calling for a "Power Action".

I don't think Splitlip offers the choice between using a free action or a power action. If his trait is affecting the character, then they have to do their relic roll as a free action. His power states:

Last time I checked can was nonoptional, and may was optional use.

Exactly! That's what I'm trying to say.

True, but if the BoS effect isn't a Relic Roll, then Splitlips power wouldn't matter, as it wouldn't affect it.

Can is a different meaning here since it's modifying a game rule rather than granting access to a power.

Awesome! LOL didn't think about checking for an errata. Since so few can wield Mjolnir, having it only succeed on a 6 seemed fitting.

I'LL FORGE YOUR WEAPON, YOU $#@*&%: Friendly characters can use free actions instead of power actions to make a relic roll and modify their roll by +1 if not already modified by this effect.

Excerpt from the book...Whenever a Hammer is placed in a character's square, that character may immediately use Quake as a free action. If the friendly character is given a power action to place that Hammer on its character card this turn, the roll automatically succeeds and the Hammer is considered to be "equipped" to that character and that character can use its abilities as listed on the Hammer's card.

Adhereing to the strictest of wordings I would rule...

You are giving the Power Action to place the hammer on the character card...not to pick up the relic. Splitlips power does not come into play. What you can do is, place the hammer in your square...free Quake. Roll with Splitlips free action to try and pick up the hammer on your own. If you fail, take the Power Action and place it on your card.

That's a good way to look at it but the point of confusion arises partially because of this:

If you're not actually rolling for the hammer as a relic roll, why include that line rather than saying something like, "Give this character a power action to place the hammer on their card. The hammer is now equipped."?

I'm in the camp of that Splitlip gives the pick up as automatic on turn 1.

What's so broken about that? WK is *ALL* for alpha-strike these days, what's picking up a Hammer on turn 1 as opposed as on turn 2? Game just ends a turn or so earlier.

The fact that this isn't entirely serious but still very true is just horrible.