No, because Smoke Cloud is not showing on the dial. Can use is a very specific game term.

Here's a zany scenario: If Nico has chosen Battle fury as per Staff of One and crit hits ziran which puts him on

A LAST CHANCE TO PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY: When this power is first revealed, after actions resolve roll 2d6 and turn the Testing dial that many times. If your opponents' force can pass that test on their current clicks (instead of opening clicks), all opposing character heal 1 damage.

can she pass the Battle Fury test at that point?

I would say at that point she can use it so yeah!

No, not at the beginning of the game. She has to be given a free action to be able to use any standard power (such as Smoke Cloud). No character can make any sort of action at the beginning of the game.

Yes. She has chosen a power and Staff of One says she can use that power until the beginning of her next turn.

I can see this going one of three ways:
1) She passes 9/12 tests (I don't think that's right.)
2) She passes the leadership test, 10, and any one other power test, I agree with the usage of the Can Use, I believe it was intended to be used to allow those with special powers to pass the tests. The thing that Ziran's test does not specify is at what point on the 1st click can they use the power. It doesn't say "without being assigned any action other than the one to activate the specified power. What it says is can the figure use it at on their 1st click and yes she can. The only time frame given is at the beginning of the game, great no one can use any power at the beginning of the game, no actions can be assigned, before anyone's turns start so n one can pass 9 of his tests. I do take issue with her being able to pass a power test other than leadership and then passing another test other than leadership as it was already stated that she could use power X so how could she then use a different power from the Staff of one.
3)She can only pass leadership test. I can't get behind that one here's why: No power can be used until some action has been assigned. Can't use prob till either you or your opponent takes an action that requires a roll. ESD can't be used till a ranged attack is made targeting that figure, so your opponent needs to be assigned an ranged combat action or a power action to generated that ranged combat attack, Enhancement cant be used until you make a ranged attack with an adjacent figure, etc.

As far as my venue goes I'm wrong and I'm fine with that. I would simply like to see an official ruling

Here is really all you need to know regarding Nico..

STAFF OF ONE: Once during each of your turns, you may give Nico Minoru a free action and choose a standard power you didn't choose during your last turn. Nico can use that power until the beginning of you next turn.

Is the Beginning of the game during Nico's turn?

No, it's the beginning of the game..

Nico's player has to have a turn before Nico can choose a power.

End of story. All three Tests take place BEFORE the first turn. THEREFORE.. Nico has not had a Turn.. THEREFORE Nico couldn't of been given a free action to CHOOSE a power.. THEREFORE the only Test she can EVER pass is the Leadership test..

HOWEVER.. if this power shows up..

A LAST CHANCE TO PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY: When this power is first revealed, after actions resolve roll 2d6 and turn the Testing dial that many times. If your opponents' force can pass that test on their current clicks (instead of opening clicks), all opposing character heal 1 damage.

And you just HAPPENED to of chosen a power the Tests look for... then yes.. she qualifies..

For those of you who still think Nico can pass Ziran's test, I have provided a link the a ruling from normalview which rules on this. Basically, it says what has been said here multiple times. Nico can only pass the leadership test because the Staff of One power cannot be activated until it is her turn, and not at the beginning of the game.


http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...ht=nico&page=3

We already have the official ruling. All she can use is Staff of One and Leadership

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showpo...1&postcount=30