This paragraph in the rules:

I know you are not giving the character an action, but the activation of powers like Shape Change are dependent on being attacked. It just seems to me that the intent is the same. Which would mean that the powers need to be declared in order to use them, which would mean on the flip side that not declaring them would mean not using them.

I know this is very similar to the other declare thread(s) going, but I thought it was unique enough for its own topic. I apologize if it is deemed redundant.

I immediately thought of the Wrecker...


WHEN triggers work in their own special way. WHEN the effect occurs you make the choice (if any choice is required) if the power is in USE.

For instance BCF gets declared as part of a Close Combat Action.

If the power is in USE and no choice is made then the effect occurs WHEN the conditional effect is met (eg. Shape Change)

The key here is that to USE a power you can either Turn the Power "ON" or "OFF" only when an ACTION is declared. This rule applies to all powers and abilities.

By default a power is ON.

However, some powers require specfic ACTIONs to be given in order to activate Specific effects.

If you dont specifically give an ACTION for such a power it isnt by default in effect.

For instance, if you use Running Shot and Give a Ranged Combat Action you don't have to turn EE off to prevent using it.

If you're trying to argue that a character must specifically declare it is using Shape Change because an attack is similar to an action, that would be incorrect.

To use one of these powers, the player must declare that the character is being given an action to activate the power or that the action given to the character will activate a power.


As you can see from the bolded portion, this pertains only to powers that the character iself can use and must be given an action for. I can't assign a Super Skrull an action to specifically use Shape Change; it does not fall into this category of powers. Rather Super Skrull is always able to use Shape Change unless I specifically say otherwise... it just so happens that it doesn't matter if he is using it (or not) unless he is attacked by another character.

The Wrecker is another really great example of how a power can be in USE at the start of an action but the choice on how to apply the effect or not apply the effect can wait until later.

YOU: "I am making a Close Combat Attack with Mordru against THE Wrecker"
YOU: "Will the wrecker being using any Special Powers"
ME: "Yes, I will use all my powers"
YOU: * roll a critical miss *
ME: "Ouch, I am not going to make my special attack that I am allowed to make."

Notice here that even though my power was Specifically in USE at Action Declaration, I still made my choice after seeing the result of the dice roll.

Had you instead rolled a Critical Hit, I may have had THE Wrecker bonk you on the head instead.

Then my follow-up question would be, whose responsibility is it to make sure Shape Change is used? If the player being attacked ignores that they have Shape Change (let's say they are not paying attention and forgot) is there any responsibility on the Attacker to remind them? If they are not reminded, is inaction (not even acknowledging Shape Change is there and letting the attacker roll) the same as declaring your are not using it?

Who's responsibility is it to make sure any power is used?

If you attacked a character with Invulernability and your opponent doesn't immediately say, "I reduced that damage by 2," because he was distracted or something, would you try to make him take full damage?


At some point you just need to own up to the fact that this game has rules: you'll either do your best to follow them (even when it isn't in your own best interest) or you won't. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to be a cheater. As long as everyone does their best to make sure they declare and everything properly, we can keep this sort of stuff to a minimum.

Don't get me wrong, I try my best to be a courteous player and remind people when things happen and what they have on their dial, as well as my own. This came up in an etiquette thread in the general discussion forum and I am the kind of guy that will ask a question that comes to mind just in case that scenario ever comes up.

I guess at the root of the question is if the attacker gives the player being attacked ample time to declare and roll for Shape Change (without mentioning Shape Change) and the player being attacked does nothing (because it slipped his mind or whatever) is the attacker considered a cheater because they didn't point out Shape Change?

Again, I'm not looking for loopholes or questionable tactics. I'd just like to know for reference since I am a newer player and Shape Change is one of those powers I commonly forget to use since I don't often play figs with it. I'm not saying I want support for redoing an attack that happened 3 turns (or even actions) ago, that would be ridiculous.

On the rare occasions I actually get to play, I remind players about any of their powers that are technically on if they do not say something themselves. Rarely do I have to remind them more than once (I guess the "Oops, I can't believe I forgot that!" feeling is enough of a motivator to keep them on their toes).

I would hope that others would do the same, if they noticed a power their opponent forgot about. However, I also don't expect people to play their opponent's team for them... I've got no problem with a "if you don't say it, then it isn't being used" mindset if that's what works for you and your venue.