Rooted block

[irlandes]

This question was arised on the spanish forum: I declare a block action with my treeman, but then he gets rooted.

¿Can I choose not to block once I declared a block action and then got rooted?

For example, if I don't want him out of my tackle zone for any reason...


If possible I would like a rules quote, not only opinions....

[Ullis]

Immediately after declaring an Action with this player, roll a D6.

Block: The player may make a single block against a player in an adjacent square. Players that are Prone may not perform this
Action.

So, the Take Root roll is taken right after declaring an action. After that, once the Block action has started and the roll is made, the player may make block a player next to him. He doesn't have to do it.

For practical purposes it often makes sense to declare the target of the subsequent block at the same time as declaring a block action, but that's just because it's so easy to say in one sentence. Same as people might say: "This guy stands up" to indicate that the player takes a move action and the only movement will be standing up (i.e. no dodging).

[GalakStarscraper]

Ullis is correct. The may in the Block action text means you don't have to throw the block if you do not want to.

The block is not considered in action until you commit dice to it or trigger a skill. So for example once you've rolled Dauntless or your opponent a Dump Off ... you HAVE to finish the block as these dice are rolled because you are throwing a block.

Take Root is rolled no matter what and is not considered part of the actual block.

Galak

[eban]

Hello.
Another question about this. If oponnent have dump-off skill and has used it, can now not make the block roll?

Blitz: The player may move a number of squares equal to their MA. He may make one block during the move. The block may be made at any point during the move, and ‘costs’ one square of movement.

[Oxynot]

Eban, look at the post above yours. Galak very explicitly stated that if opponent has used Dump-Off (or you Dauntless) you have to carry out the block and cannot decline to throw the block dice.

So no, you must throw the block after a dump-off has been made

Dauntless would be much more fun skill if you did not have to follow up with th block, if you did not want to though. "I'm not afraid of you even though you are big! *failed Dauntless* On second thought, it is silly idea. Can we just be friends?"

[Ullis]

Quite right, Oxynot.

]Dump-Off (Passing)
This skill allows the player to make a Quick Pass when an opponent declares that he will throw a block at him

I can see how this can be confusing, but the relevant thing is that the blocking action has two distinct parts.

1) Declaring the block action,
2) Choosing the target,
3) Throwing the block dice.

Take Root takes effect right after 1), whereas Dump off takes effect after 2).

To either clarify (or muddle) this, a player who's been hit with Hypno gaze could declare a Block action, regain his TZ's and be able to catch stuff again, but not block anyone. Most people just declare a Move action, but for the intent of regaining TZ's, you could declare a Block action as well. Either way, you don't have to actually move or block anyone.

...foul, or move voluntarily until the start of his next action or the drive ends.