Hawk: Might Makes Right question (Bat #56)

[weapono]

Hi WKRF,

Question came up today regarding an edge case with the Uncommon Hawk: Might Makes Right and Dove combo from the Batman set. His card reads…

While Hawk is active, if Dove is KO'd, deal damage equal to Hawk's A to your opponent.

If there are two hawk dice in my field zone, one on level 3 (7A) and one on level 1 (2A) and I KO a dove character die in my field what happens?
A. I deal 9 damage to the opponent (the total attack of all hawk dice in the field)
B. I deal 7 damage to the opponent (the attack of the highest level hawk die in the field).
C. I deal 2 damage to the opponent (the attack of the lowest level hawk die in the field).
It's a unique while active ability so we wanted to check. Thanks in advance!

[dmrulesteam]

Either B or C, depending on which Hawk die was fielded first.

Refer to the following rule:

Rule 3.4.5.3 Once a Character die has been fielded, the “while active” ability occurs. Regardless of how many copies of that die are fielded, this ability occurs only one time (i.e. it does not stack). As soon as the first die of this character enters the Field Zone, the ability begins, and as soon as the last die leaves the Field Zone, the ability ends.

Once the first die with a “while active” ability is fielded it establishes the parameters of that ability as applicable.

Naturally, if you could field both the level 1 and level 3 Hawk dice in the same Main Step, you could choose which parameter to establish (most likely fielding the 7A level 3 die first).

Also, if the level 1 Hawk die was fielded (and now active), then a level 2 or 3 die was fielded in a subsequent turn, the parameter for Hawk’s ability would remain 2A. The fielding of an additional Hawk die would not replace the established parameter.

[archivist]

I understand the answer to this question (either B or C), but the “established parameter” portion confuses me.

There are several abilities that can change a die’s A/D value (e.g. spinning up/down, A/D buffs or penalties). Therefore, a die’s values are not locked once it is fielded (i.e. the value can never be changed).

How do these change abilities square with the “established parameter” explanation concerning multiple identical dice are active when the ability is triggered?

Appreciate your response.

[dmrulesteam]

We understand and apologize for the confusion. The rationale was focused on the specific situation posed in the question and did not consider other factors you cited.

The answer does not change – the active player can choose which of Hawk’s A value to apply in resolving his ability (either option B or C). However, the rationale explaining this answer is voided and replaced with the following:

When a Dove die is KO’d and there are multiple active Hawk dice, the active player chooses one Hawk die’s A value to apply, which can include any adjustments to that printed value (e.g. abilities that grant +A).