First session questions - Snapshot vs. Release

[Blackberry]

We played a practice combat session yesterday to get a feel for the system, and we came up with a few questions.

The rules say that "Firing quickly or throwing without aiming" is a Snapshot, and that any shot done without Acquire Target is automatically a Snapshot.

Does this mean that you script Snapshot instead of Acquire Target/Release, or do you just script Release and count it as Snapshot?

For bows, it says that you can cut Draw by one action if you do a Snapshot -- cutting out the free Acquire Target. Does that mean that you script Snapshot instead of Draw Bow, and it takes one less action? And does Snapshot include a free Release?

In other words, with a Hunting Bow, you can normally fire every six actions (Nock(3), Draw(2), Release(1)). Using Snapshot, is it (Nock(3), Draw(1), Release(1) = 5) or (Nock(3), Snapshot(1) = 4)?

If it's 5, that doesn't seem to be a big advantage. It's especially not for a larger bow.

[eruditus]

Snapshot gives you a 1 action advantage, and it may not seem like an advantage but when that savage swinging steel is descending upon you it will make all the difference in the world.

Keep in mind that a character can keep a bow nocked (within the reasonsable activity level) so a bow snapshot could look like Draw (2), Release (1).

However, Snapshot is not so much a action type as it is a modifier for taking that 1 action advantage while firing.

I am working on very little sleep so please let me know if it comes out in some alien language :D

[Blackberry]

A Snapshot wouldn't be Draw(1), Release(1)?

The really confusing part was that I gave my players the "Convention Scripting Worksheet" from the downloads section, as a list of possible actions, and it lists Snapshot as a scriptable action. I told them to ignore that sheet in favor of the rulebook, but (a) they wouldn't listen and (b) the rulebook doesn't make it clear. Since it says "firing" is a Snapshot, it sounds like Snapshot includes the actual firing -- i.e. the Release action.

[eruditus]

A Snapshot wouldn't be Draw(1), Release(1)?

My bad, Draw 1, Release 1


The really confusing part was that I gave my players the "Convention Scripting Worksheet" from the downloads section, as a list of possible actions, and it lists Snapshot as a scriptable action. I told them to ignore that sheet in favor of the rulebook, but (a) they wouldn't listen and (b) the rulebook doesn't make it clear. Since it says "firing" is a Snapshot, it sounds like Snapshot includes the actual firing -- i.e. the Release action.

ah, well, tell your beligerent players that we're shaking sticks at them and they'll just have to wait for a newer erratta'd edition of the sheet where its a little clearer. :D

[luke]

Nock(3), Draw(1), Release(1)

this is correct.

And as Don said, it may not seem like a big advantage on paper, but one less action can make all the difference in play.

-L