I don't have a powers and abilities card so I'm not sure, but in the rules it states
"Line of fire. Before making a ranged combat attack, you must determine
if the attacker has a clear line of fire to the target and if the target is
within range. Before declaring your character’s action for that turn, you are
allowed to check the map to see which targets are valid targets."


Can an attacker make an attack with pulsewave, even if he has no line of fire? Lets say Batman is in hindering 3 spaces away from blackbolt, can black bolt make a pulsewave attack? I was thinking NO cause before pulsewave kicks in the ATTACK had no valid target, and since there was no valid target the attack could not be made. I know pulse wave says to ignore powers and abilities, but My reasoning would be since there was no valid target and that you need one before the attack can happen, the attack is null and void. and pulsewave doesn't kick in until after at attack has started.

also if the attack works, then can someone outwit pulsewave, and then if I make a running shot to a point where the charater who outwitted pulsewave was withing range. can I then pulsewave, cause now that the charater is within range, the pulsewave should come back cause it will ignore the outwit cause it ignores other powers and abilities. ????

The targets of Pulse Wave attacks have their powers and Team Abilities ignored until the end of the action. Since Batman is within range of this attack, his Stealth (or TA that grants stealth) would be ignored, so Black Bolt could make this shot.

For the second question, that will not work. If Pulse Wave is outwitted, it can't be activated. Therefore, it wouldn't be able to cancel Outwit to make itself viable again.

Ah, but the beauty--and sheer terror--of Pulse Wave is that it IGNORES any and all Powers and Abilities of those within range, friendly or opposing. Damage reducers like Impervious and Toughness...the "chain-defense" of JSA/Defenders....Stealth! All poof-gone for the attack.

Well, there are exceptions that I can't recall at this instant, but that's true for, oh, everything in this game. "Fliers can't carry fliers" says the rule....UNLESS one of them is Earthbound. "Knockback occurs on all successful attacks when doubles are rolled"....UNLESS Charge or Combat Reflexes are showing. You get the idea.

So, you've got Batman within your Pulse range, feel free to let loose. His Stealth and/or Bat-Ally TA are ignored for the duration of the action, and will take damage from the assault.

Well, provided Black Bolt rolled well enough to hit, of course. Roll a crit miss, and you're on your own, Bolt. (heh)

Helpful, yes?

Muskie

Exceptions might include special abilities that specifically state they can't be ignored. I can't think of any more examples right now either, but Pulse Wave is pretty inclusive for what it shuts down.

Also, a small clarification, but Combat Reflexes doesn't stop knockback. I know that it used to be somewhat different before it got changed in the PAC, but now it only prevents knockback damage. The character can choose to be knocked back upon taking damage, but can't ignore knockback.

The first thing a Pulse Waver does is check for Range (before drawing Lines of Fire):

I highlighted the pertinent parts for you.

So the first thing we do is give the Character a RCA. (check)

Then we halve its range value. (check)

Then we check and make sure at least one opposing figure is within the newly modified range value. (yes, Batman)

Then we ignore all powers and team abilities (including Bat Ally) of the figures within range. (bye bye Bat Ally TA)

Batman is a legal target for a Pulse Wave attack as described in your example above.


Actually, Pulse Wave "kicks in" as soon as you declare the RCA using Pulse Wave. Then, per the actual power description, you go through the checklist above.

Pulse wave goes on to say:

Essentially, Pulse Wave LoF ignores Powers and Team Abilities used or possessed by characters within range of the attack. Furthermore, it ignores characters for LoF as well.

About the only thing Pulse Wave LoF doesn't ignore is Terrain (Blocking, elevated, etc...).


If it makes you feel better, that means Batman gets a +1 to his defense from the Hindering Terrain when targeted by Pulse Wave.

thank you munchoboy!

Just read through all the posts above (particularly Munchoboy's; it is pretty thorough).

In summary:

Pulse Wave ignores powers, feats, TAs, traits. Batman's Stealth offers no protection.

Outwit counters Pulse Wave; as far as your character's available actions are concerned, there is no Yellow power in the attack slot to activate this turn. Since there is no Yellow power, there is no way Outwit can be ignored.

The PAC (and pretty much all other relevant documents) are available in the Units section here on the 'realms. Download the .pdfs at your leisure

These are two seperate questions, so bear with me here.

Pulse wave starts when I give my PW figure a Ranged Combat Action declaring Pulse Wave.

Normally, one does not draw line of fire until an action has been declared. However, Pulse Wave has additional rules in regards to lines of fire (see my post above).

Again, the first thing we do is check for opposing characters within range (no LoF drawn yet). If there are, their powers and team abilities are ignored (again, bye-bye Bat Ally team ability or Stealth).

THEN we draw line of fire. Since Batman's TA (or Stealth depending on the version) is ignored, line of fire can be drawn.

Essentially, it looks like this is more of an issue understanding timing and sequence of action than anything. I hope this helps.

If you outwit my figure's Pulse Wave, it is countered until the beginning of your next turn. I cannot activate a power that is countered. It's as easy as that.


You can read the description I posted above, or read the entire description of the power in the "Units" section (click on the link for the PAC).


EDIT: You're welcome!

DRAT YOU MUNCHOBOY & NORMALVIEW!!! You just refuse to NOT be on top of things here, don't you?!? (tee hee)


I don't care....here's my response, still:

As to the Outwitted Pulse Wave: no, PW isn't an attack option. The Outwit happened before you declared the attack, so you don't have it to use. Now, here's a curiosity: Batman didn't Outwit Bolt's Pulse Wave, but Spider-Man's Super Senses, six squares away, in another direction. FOR THE DURATION OF THE PW--Spider-Man has Super Senses again!

Of course, after the attack, if Batman still has Outwit, then Spidey's Senses go bye-bye again.


As for "targeting" Batman before the attack. Keep in mind that you aren't making a specific target of Batman for the action. You're just letting Black Bolt have a shout, and see what happens after. Oh, look, there's Batman, reeling from the noise!

Muskie

Let's go with a more practical example.

Gypsy has 19d and Defend.

I counter her Defend with my Outwitter.

Gypsy is just out of my PW range, but my OWer is not.
I use Pulse Wave anyway. She does get her Defend back temporarily and can use it to pass her defense in to the guy nex to her that is in the PW range.

Ouch.

A much better example, Mr Harpua, sir. Thank'ee kindly.

Muskie