Nose of the Hound/Ambush vs. 2nd Trad etc.

Does the action fizzle as soon as the reacting vampire becomes untapped? Or is there still a block attempt and potential combat?

An action "fizzles" only when it is successful, but either cost can't be paid, or target isn't eligible any more (or, in rare cases, if the source of the action isn't there anymore, such as burning the Bomb during the Bomb action, or contesting the Talbot's Chainsaw during the action, ..).

But the important thing is: if the action is blocked, it isn't successful, and, thus, can't fizzle.


So, if you play Nose of the Hound at a basic level (auspex or spiritus) or Ambush and the target untaps before resolution (Second Tradition or Predator's Communion, for instance), there are two possible scenarii:
- There is a block attempt: In that case, whoever is attempting to block is, well, attempting to block. The block attempt is resolved. If the block is successful, a combat starts (as usual).
- There is no block attempt (or block attempts weren't successful): In that case, the action is successful. It fizzles.

Name: Ambush
Cardtype: Action
Enter combat with a ready tapped minion controlled by another Methuselah. The acting minion gets an optional maneuver during this combat.

Name: Nose of the Hound
Cardtype: Action
Discipline: Spiritus/Auspex
+1 stealth action.
[aus] Enter combat with a ready tapped minion controlled by another Methuselah. This acting minion gets an optional maneuver in that combat.
[spi] As [aus] above, with an additional optional maneuver during that combat.
[SPI] As [spi] above, but enter combat with any ready minion controlled by another Methuselah.

Name: Second Tradition: Domain
Cardtype: Reaction
Requires a ready prince or justicar.
+2 intercept. Also usable by a tapped prince or justicar, even if intercept is not yet needed, to burn a blood to untap and attempt to block with +2 intercept.

Name: Predator's Communion
Cardtype: Reaction
Discipline: Abombwe
[abo] [REFLEX] Cancel a frenzy card played on this vampire as it is played.
[abo] +1 intercept. Only usable when a vampire is acting.
[ABO] Only usable by a tapped vampire when a vampire is acting. This reacting vampire untaps.

Great. Thanks for taking the time to give a full explanation. My V:TES knowledge has expanded.

Just Curious, Pascal, what you mean by "contesting Talbot's Chainsaw during the action". If it was already in play it would be contested immediately when anyone tried to bring in a second copy.

Lambach wrote:

Just Curious, Pascal, what you mean by "contesting Talbot's Chainsaw during the action". If it was already in play it would be contested immediately when anyone tried to bring in a second copy.

I suppose it mean disguised weapon on a Talbot in the block for the rush of a Talbot.

For example, if you are blocked while rushing with Talbot, the blocker disguise another talbot, and you Form of mist to continue the rush, it will fizzle.

Lambach wrote:

Just Curious, Pascal, what you mean by "contesting Talbot's Chainsaw during the action". If it was already in play it would be contested immediately when anyone tried to bring in a second copy.

Here is an example of what happened in NAC 2008 in Montreal:
Player A controls a vampire with a Talbot's Chainsaw. He uses the Chainsaw to enter combat with player B's Imbued.
Player B plays (before resolution) Angel of Berlin, giving an Imbued the Talbot's Chainsaw, thus contesting the Talbot's Chainsaw. With no further block attempts, the action will fizzle.