| Cost | 5 |
| Phase | Play before your opponent's unit in Melee |
| Target | 1 defending unit in Melee |
| Effect | Target melees first. If its attacker was not killed or forced to retreat, it may then battle back and attack as normal. |
How does First Strike work? (FAQ) 2006-12-06 02:20:27
The target melees its attacker first, like if it was able to battle back and did its battle back BEFORE its attacker even attacked it. Like in a battle back action, the target cannot do follow on actions (follow on actions are only available during YOUR turn, not your opponent's).
If the initial attacker was not killed or forced to retreat, it may then battle as originally planned (the choice of the word battle back on the card was unfortunate here). That attack may include follow on actions, if the opportunity arises. However, the target, having already struck first, is NOT entitled to a battle back, even if it would have had the right to, had it not played a First Strike.
Detailed example of a First Strike (FAQ) 2006-12-06 02:27:05
A red cavalry moves to contact to attack a blue cavalry that has support.
The player controlling the blue cav chooses to play a First Strike. The blue cav player pays the card's Lore cost, and rolls 3d against the red cav, scoring 2 hits and a miss.
The red cav player removes 2 figs from his unit, then attacks the blue cav as it wanted to do first, rolling 4d and scoring 1 measly hit!
The blue cav player cannot now battle back (even if it would normally have been entitled to, because of its support). In effect, its First strike is considered as its Battle Back opportunity, simply done before its opponent's attack, rather than after.
Does this card have the same effects as “Ambush”? (C/Q) 2006-12-21 20:48:17
Q: Is this card's effect the same as "Ambush"?
A: Yes.
Can “First Strike” be played on a defending unit that is not bold? (C/Q) 2007-01-03 00:25:41
Q: "First strike is considered as its Battle Back opportunity, simply done before its opponent's attack, rather than after." So can you play first strike then on a defending unit without support (bold) ?
A: Yes, you may. The defending unit will attack like if it was in a battle back (ie it will not gain any follow-on action opportunity).
Can “First Strike” be played on multiple attackers? (C/Q) 2007-02-11 03:20:42
Q: If there were 2 attacking units that moved close to the defending unit, would this card apply for BOTH attacks on the unit, or just the one ? (assuming the first attack didn't make anyone retreat)
A: The card applies to a single attack dice roll (like all Reaction cards with a Play before your opponent's dice roll phase of play).
Can “Ambush” be countered by “First Strike”? (C/Q) 2007-04-25 21:02:43
Q: If I move to attack my opponent's unit and he plays Ambush, can I respond with First Strike and be the first to attack? Would this mean that there are 3 attacks in this one turn provided no unit is destroyed or forced to retreat? If so, what about Battle Back and follow on actions? If the Ambushing unit (2nd to attack in the series of three) would normally be entitled to Battle Back,can he Battle Back from the First Strike attack and then take his Ambush attack? Can my First Strikeing unit take follow on actions from his First Strike attack being that it is MY turn?
A: No, because Reaction cards can only be played during your opponent's turn, not during your own turn. So you cannot play First strile during your own turn (and thus you cannot use it to counter your opponent's Ambush, which he is playing during your turn as the active player).
May “First Strike” be played in response to a Battle Back? (C/Q) 2007-10-24 14:09:24
Q: While the name of the card and the target of the card suggest otherwise, similar to the ruling that Evade/Scatter may be played in response to a battle back, may First Strike/Ambush also be played in response to a battle back (effectively giving an attacking unit two attacks if opponent battles back)?
A: No, it can't. The reason for this ruling is to avoid multiple battle and battle back actions within a single battle round.