Mask of a Thousand Faces and Venenation

inm8 wrote:

If im wrong when does the "before action resolution" end?

The combat that results from blocking is part of the resolution of an action. Keep in mind when do you play freak drive or cat's guidance? Its after the combat. Neither can be played if there is no action. If there is an action then it hasn't resolved yet. (although there is a window to play said cards even after the resolution, because vtes)

Personally I have always been against using words "before" or "after" because of their inexact nature. The time window is vague and uncertain and can create timing windows that are outside the defined timing windows. When do you come back to work? Oh after I've finished this cup of coffee. When have you finished your cup of coffee? Maybe year 2060.

Even the current black chantry rulebook continues the trend of poorly defining game terms. The rulebook does not clearly state whether or not block resolution is part of the action resolution. Yet it is (it has been ruled that way in the past). Yet another case where rulebook explains nothing and you just need to know these things.

3. Resolve the Action
If the action is successful (all block attempts
were unsuccessful), then the cost of the action is paid and the effects of the successful
action take place.
If the action is blocked, then any card played
to perform the action is burned and the
block is resolved with these two simultaneous consequences: the blocking minion is
locked and enters combat with the acting
minion (see Combat p. 28). If an effect ends
the action before the block resolution or one
of these two consequences (such as entering
combat), neither consequence occurs. The effects of the action do not take place when the
action is blocked. Note that the action’s cost,
if any, is only paid if the action succeeds; the
cost is not paid if the action is blocked. The
costs of action modifiers and reaction cards
are always paid when the cards are played,
regardless of the success of the action.

if I'm not mistaken there is a distinction between reaching "action resolution" and an "action being resolved".
reaching "action resolution" is the point in the course of an action where it is determined to be either successful and its effect resolves, or it is blocked and is followed by block resolution.

My understanding of the rulebook part below where it says "before action resolution" refers to the point in time before the action is determined to be either successful or blocked (which is not the end of the action in any way or its resolution).

"Action modifier cards: The acting minion can play these cards to modify their action at any time before action resolution"