I'm unsure about one thing of HSS option 1 and i hope somebody here can help me out. If the situation is that one figure, let's say Kilowog, is totally surrounded by 8 other figures, is it then possible for a flying HSS figure like Black Adam to hit the figure in the middle?

XXX
XKX
XXX

X = any figure
K = Kilowog

Flying figures ignore opposing figures on movement, so Black Adam can pass through those squares without any problems. HSS option 1 grants one close (or ranged) combat attack during your movement. Since it's all just one action can Kilowog now be attacked by Black Adam? On the other hand, though, close combat requires figures to be adjacent, which can not be accomplished in this scenario.

You see i'm confused. Anybody know how this has to be handled?

Very interesting question. While close combat attacks require "adjacency," HSS is a move action that allows a close or ranged combat attack. The attack occurs during the movement, so technically, the HSS figure isn't adjacent; however, the rules also state that figures (unless specifically exempted) must end their movement when they enter a square that is adjacent to an opposing figure. This leads me to believe that "adjacency" can be achieved during movement. If this is true, a flyer with HSS should be able to attack Kilowog in your example.

Very interesting indeed . . .

I believe the current ruling is that the attack can be made. However, there are problems being discussed...what if a crit miss is rolled that knocks BA off HSS, etc.

I think the answer will be to place Black Adam in the nearest available space, possibly chosen by the opposing player.

I don't know. This is very tricky. If you look at the power description it says the character may use the rest of his movement after the attack. This somehow implies he has to stop to attack and may then move on, but it's still only one big move action.

I'm trying to remember the other stuff that made it nightmarish...

Making a ranged attack during HSS while on top of a SHIELD/Enhancement dude, where to place a passenger if HSS is lost (like would they take falling damage if the opponent places BA on an elevated edge and the only place to put the passenger is on grounded terrain...), etc.

I think the simplest thing to do is not allow an HSS fig to do this (attack from an occupied square), but I guess we'll see!

Right, and if he rolls a critical miss and looses HSS then he can't use the rest of his movement and would seem to have to be placed in a square occupied by another figure.

Herocomplex was vague at best when ruling on this in another thread. He said it could be done but when the crit miss situation was mentioned he was nowhere for clarification on his ruling. I'd love to know the correct answer to this situation. As a judge, its tough to rule on when an arbitor says you can do it but it clearly makes no sense. How can you not love this game?

Mage Knight solves a similar problem in this manner --
So if you can't occupy the spot in this situation, your figure is eliminated. That would make a person think twice about trying it. I would also say any passengers would be eliminated too.

Ouch! Instant KO? Harsh! I like it.

There is no correct answer other than, the rules do not prevent a "HSS attack while on top of another character" from happening right now. HeroComplex knows that. He even said that. Until there is a ruling on this, the judges will have to use their best judgment.

What?!!? I prefer being a mindless automaton thank you very much. Chapter and verse, that's me!

Hell yeah! Judge, Jury and Exceutioner! I like it!

My first reaction to the whole "HSS attack while on top of another character" is to say "No, you can't. That's just stupid!". But that is a) not very nice to say, b) not the kind of answer an Envoy should give and c) applicable to some other rules in the game which I do enforce, so it feels like I can't really use that as a reason.

Btw, Mr. P, you're avatar is really perfectly suited for this topic...



It seems like we'll just have to wait and see wether anything will be ruled in the future. Until then let's just hope nobody tries to pull that move at a tourney you're (or i'm) judging...