Scatter

[TopsyKretts]

Slightly confused by how "scatter" is defined.

Page 20 (Random Direction Template): "This template is used whenever the ball ‘scatters’, ‘bounces’ or ‘deviates’..."
Page 25: "Throughout the rules, reference will be made to the ball ‘deviating’, ‘scattering’ or ‘bouncing’, and it is worth establishing early on what is meant by each of these terms:"

So when the ball (or thrown player or bomb) is moving randomly, it can do so in one of 3 ways: scatter, bounce or deviate. All good so far. But now, read closely the rules for Throw Team-mate.

Page 52: " Unlike a Pass action, a Throw Team-mate action that is not fumbled will always scatter before landing."

But the result of throwing a player are the following:
- Suberb: Scatter
- Successful: Scatter
- Terrible: Deviate
- Fumbled: Bounce

So it will NOT always scatter? Or is this usage of the word "scatter" a group term? Ie. scatter = scatter, bounce & deviate?

[Papa Sebco]

Slightly confused by how "scatter" is defined.

Page 20 (Random Direction Template): "This template is used whenever the ball ‘scatters’, ‘bounces’ or ‘deviates’..."
Page 25: "Throughout the rules, reference will be made to the ball ‘deviating’, ‘scattering’ or ‘bouncing’, and it is worth establishing early on what is meant by each of these terms:"

So when the ball (or thrown player or bomb) is moving randomly, it can do so in one of 3 ways: scatter, bounce or deviate. All good so far. But now, read closely the rules for Throw Team-mate.

Page 52: " Unlike a Pass action, a Throw Team-mate action that is not fumbled will always scatter before landing."

But the result of throwing a player are the following:
- Suberb: Scatter
- Successful: Scatter
- Terrible: Deviate
- Fumbled: Bounce

So it will NOT always scatter? Or is this usage of the word "scatter" a group term? Ie. scatter = scatter, bounce & deviate?

Acording to me, that is a type. They should have written "Unlike a Pass action, a Throw Team-mate action that is not fumbled will always scatter OR DEVIATE before landing."

[TopsyKretts]

Yeah that makes sense, but just found another example:

Page 54 (Crash Landing): "Once the scatter has been resolved, the player will bounce (as if they were a ball) from the square they land in."

Again, the player may bounce, scatter or deviate (depending on the quality of the throw). I get the feeling scatter is interchangeably used as a group term for all types of random movement (bounce, scatter, deviate).

[Saebelsultan]

Scatter is what the ball does in the air and bounce is what the ball does on the ground (or on your 2nd example the Stunty).
For your first example they should have added "Unlike a Pass action, a successfulThrow Team-mate action that is not fumbled will always scatter before landing."

[TopsyKretts]

Scatter is what the ball does in the air and bounce is what the ball does on the ground (or on your 2nd example the Stunty).
For your first example they should have added "Unlike a Pass action, a successfulThrow Team-mate action that is not fumbled will always scatter before landing."

Thanks, that makes sense. I assume Deviate is also something the "thing" (ball/bomb/thrown player) does in the air.

[Saebelsultan]

Yes, that's how I read it.

[lyetownmax]

I've also been confused by the term Scatter in the new rulebook, in my case, in relation to the Changing weather result on the kick-off table.

I don't have the book to hand but I know it says that if you have Changing weather as a kick-off result, and the result of the new weather roll is 4-10 (normal, fine etc), the ball will "Scatter."

Under the 2016 rules that would mean it scattered one extra square before bouncing. However, given that "Scatter" has now been officially defined as referring to three scatter rolls, am I correct in thinking Changing weather+normal weather now means the ball will have three scatter rolls before bouncing?

That would mean the Kick skill has potentially become a little less reliable.

What are the community's thoughts? Have I interpreted the new rule correctly?

[Jayward]

You have indeed. In those circumstances Changing Weather results in three rolls of the d8.

[lyetownmax]

Thanks Jayward, this was a bone of contention at my first tournament, albeit one amicably enough resolved.

[lunchmoney]

am I correct in thinking Changing weather+normal weather now means the ball will have three scatter rolls before bouncing?

That is correct.

[sann0638]

This is why capitals, italics and bold are used in good rulebooks.