Hi,

Can someone clear something up for me? What is the difference between an attack and an action?

For instance, why can't you use HSS and Exploit Weakness together?

If a character had HSS and BCF on the same click, would you be able to use them together?

Thanks in advance.

Simply, an action is not the same as an attack. If it were, they would just choose one of those words and stick with it.

Often an action can result in an attack. But this still doesn't make them the same. Perhaps it would help to think of an action as being "bigger" than an attack, such that an attack can fit inside of an action. An action is two feet wide and an attack is only one foot across. If you try to fit an attack into an action, that's easy. But trying to fit an action into something designed to contain an attack? Isn't going to happen.

When you take a look at the PAC, it's important to notice if the powers refer to actions or attacks. The two examples you mentioned are a good starting point.

Hypersonic Speed (option 2) is a power action. When it's activated, it allows you to make a close combat attack as a free action. It doesn't allow you to make a close combat (or any other kind of) action, so you can't use Exploit Weakness (which requires a close combat action).

Second example: Again, HSS is a power action that allows a close combat attack. BCF is only rolled whenever the character makes a close combat action. You can't fit an action into the slot for an attack, so you can't use them together.


HTH.

See the "Tip" box on page 22 (I think) of the Danger Room rulebook.

That's just like you, citing the rulebook all the time.

Yeah. Darn those rules, getting in the way of a game. Booooooo! Ban the rules!

We should just play that Superman always wins except when against Batman, so all Superman-Batman teams would dominate. Sounds good to me!

Wait...whatcha mean a thread should be 'on topic'? What'd I do? What're those lil points in the corner next to 'Warning' mean?

Anyway, yeah, an Attack is an Attack. An Attack can never be an Action. An Action is an Action. An Action however may be an attack. Think of it with water and a cup. Water is an attack and the cup is an action. Water can't hold the cup, but the cup can hold the water. See? Then the cup can be a cup or it can be a cup with water.

That help any? No? Well...then I did my job!