Hypothetical Response Actions

[ket_the_jet]

The rule book specifically cites Morgul Brute in an explanation about the response of Sapling of the White Tree. In this example, choosing to add the wound, then preventing it, would cause the burden to be added (as an action needs to be played out as far as possible).

Let's play a hypothetical here. An opponent plays a Nazgul and Morgul Brute, forcing the free peoples' player to choose to wound the ring-bearer or add a burden. The free peoples player chooses to add a burden, then uses Melilot Brandybuck's action to prevent the burden (forcing the free peoples player to wound the ring-bearer). However, the free people's player uses Nice Imitation to prevent the wound, thus completely negating the Morgul Brute's devious text.

So I guess my hypothetical is this: In theory, what is the biggest loops of prevented actions that can be created? Let's put the minds to work!
-wtk

[Durin's Heir]

No, that's not the ruling about Sapling vs Morgul Brute. That case is about "preventing an action that would prevent another action." That's a logical double negation, so the original effect is not prevented (is being "prevented from being prevented").

If the FP player chooses to add a burden, that's Morgul Brute's original effect and not a prevention cost. Then Melilot Brandybuck can freely prevent that burden, and that's all.


The other ruling you are referring ("an action needs to be played out as far as possible") applies to Deathless Lord. If you cannot wound a specific ally 2 full times, you cannot choose that ally and must either exert a companion or wound another ally with 2+ vitality. If all companions are exhausted, you must wound an ally twice (if possible). If all companions AND allies are exhausted, only then you can choose to wound an exhausted ally.

Another case is Boromir BoC (carrying The One). At the start of his skirmish, you must wound him twice or add 3 burdens. If he bears an Armor, you cannot fullfil the 2 wounds, so you're forced to choose the burdens. But if he has 2+ vitality with no Armor, you can choose wounds (and use Sapling / Intimidate / Arwen Elven Rider to reduce them to 1 or 0), or add 3 burdens.

It's a fork in the road: you choose A or B (or C... if there's more), but after choosing one the other doesn't matter at all, it simply vanishes in the distance. Morgul Brute is a single road, with 3 stages: 1) you can spot a Nazgul, 2) if so, add a burden, and 3) the FP player can wound the RB to prevent that burden. No simultaneos options.


This doesn't answer to your call, but hope it helps anyway.

[ket_the_jet]

You're totally right. I was going off memory...still curious of what the longest chain of response preventions could be.
-wtk