Hypnotic Gaze, before or after attempting to pick up a ball?

[Zombie]

No, whenever you enter the square with the ball, you always have to pick it up before doing anything else. I really strongly believe that what you're proposing is illegal.

[Bevan]

No, whenever you enter the square with the ball, you always have to pick it up before doing anything else. I really strongly believe that what you're proposing is illegal.

I think this is the correct ruling. As soon as you enter the square containing the ball you must attempt to pick it up before doing anything else. You can't pause first to Block an adjacent player before the pickup and I don't think you should be able to Hypnotic Gaze anyone before the pickup.

This is separate from a Blitz where you move next to a player, can attempt to hypnotize them or an adjacent player before making the Block, because entering the square did not force you to block that player.

[roysorlie]

Think fluffwise, it must take a little time to stare down a player with Hypntic gaze, and he can't concentrate on the ball then. He would have to pick it up first.

[Vitalis]

I put the question to my league.

Everybody ruled that you'd have to pick up the ball first.

There seems to be a conflict between the 'have to pick up the ball first' and the 'hypnotic gaze can be used at any time during your turn' wording...

An official answer from one of the rulez gurus would be nice.

Pleeeaassseee....

[Milo]

I'd say that you'd need to pick up the ball before you used hypnotic gaze. You could move into a square adjacent to the player but not containing the ball, gaze him there, then move in a pick the ball up; -or- you could move into the ball's square, pick the ball up with the negative modifier, gaze, and then move out without needing to dodge. Both of those would be valid uses of hypnotic gaze.

I'll consult with the rest of the group and come back with an official answer.