Poisoned Blades

[Heilemann]

Is the defender poisoned on a hit, or only on a wound? Since I can't find anything about it in the book, I assume it's simply on a hit?

[Morgoth]

I believe it's just on a successful called shot. Otherwise, it'd be a fellowship killer.

[Majestic]

As I understand it, it's only when the adversary succeeds on a Called Shot, which they only get to do when the hero misses with their attack AND rolls an Eye.

So that gives the adversary the opportunity to do a Called Shot (which is different than it is for PCs, who can do them whenever they choose). But still to succeed at it, the adversary has to accomplish the Called Shot just like a PC would, which means they have to not only hit their target, but ALSO have to get at least one Tengwar.

For the Orc weapon 'poison' effect, for instance, if the Orc succeeds with all of that, then they successfully poison the PC, which automatically Wounds the target.

[Heilemann]

I always found the adversary called shot rule a little vague. It never explicitly states that they can't so called shot normally, just that they do them under those conditions.

[shipwreck]

I always found the adversary called shot rule a little vague. It never explicitly states that they can't so called shot normally, just that they do them under those conditions.

I always interpreted it as the only way they can attempt them, as the enemies can't make the 'call' themselves. I suppose you could argue that the LM should be able to make the call but I would treat that as a house rule.

[Hélend]

I would say go by the "hero has to roll an Eye of Sauron" rule for when your garden-variety adversary tries a Called Shot, but the "boss" baddies can try it whenever they think it's a good idea. Your average Goblin Archer is going to follow that rule, but the Orc Chieftain will try a Called Shot if he likes.

[Morgoth]

I would say go by the "hero has to roll an Eye of Sauron" rule for when your garden-variety adversary tries a Called Shot, but the "boss" baddies can try it whenever they think it's a good idea. Your average Goblin Archer is going to follow that rule, but the Orc Chieftain will try a Called Shot if he likes.

Yeah, that's what I do as well. Although I'm inclined to just do called shots completely at the LMs discretion. Rolling an Eye is supposed to be bad, but it's often very beneficial to the hero if the adversaries use called shots.