'if combat occurs' condition

Just noticed how the wording on smoke and mirrors and mind tricks differ from the vast majority of similar cards like skullduggery and skin of the chameleon. SnM and mind tricks don't specify 'if this action is blocked' but merely 'if combat occurs'. It seems like one would get an optional maneuver if SnM is used to stealth a rush action through, is this correct?

Smoke and Mirrors
Type: Action Modifier
Requires: anarch Chimerstry/Obfuscate/Obtenebration
Requires an anarch.
[chi] +1 stealth with an optional maneuver if combat occurs.
[obf] +2 stealth. Not usable during a bleed or political action.
[obt] The blocking vampire gets -1 intercept.

Skin of the Chameleon
Type: Action Modifier
Requires: Visceratika/Thaumaturgy
Cost: 1 blood
[tha] Only usable as an action is announced. If this action is blocked, this vampire gets an optional maneuver or press in the resulting combat.
[vis] +1 stealth. If this action is blocked, this acting vampire gets an optional maneuver or press in the resulting combat.
[VIS] As [vis] above, but with +2 stealth.


On a similar note (but incredibly cornercase), if I play the deadliest sin and then familial bond against a diablerie action and the action succeeds, would I still have +2 strength in the resulting combat? The deadliest sin does not specify that the block must be successful. I would say no in this case however since familial bond allows you to enter combat after resolution (at which point any reaction card effects should no longer have effect).

Deadliest Sin, The
Type: Reaction
Requires a ready vampire. Only usable when a vampire attempts to commit diablerie.
This reacting vampire gets +2 intercept. If combat occurs, this reacting vampire gets +2 strength until the end of combat.

Familial Bond
Type: Reaction
Requires: laibon
Cost: 1 blood
Requires a Laibon.
Only usable on an action directed at another Laibon you control or on a bleed against you. +1 intercept. If this block fails, the acting minion may choose to make the action fail. If the action succeeds, this Laibon may tap (after resolution) to enter combat with the acting minion.

Hmmm, perhaps Pascal can answer?

Weird. I didn't get the first email notification.
Anyways: All these cards should read "*if this action is blocked,* in the *resulting* combat"

Why? How is Smoke and Mirrors' wording an issue at any level?

KevinM wrote:

Why? How is Smoke and Mirrors' wording an issue at any level?

Arguably, it's in line with RTR-1999-07-12, www.thelasombra.com/rules/RTR7-12.htm :

RTR wrote:

Question: Do you get the maneuver from Guard Dogs even if you fail to block the action? (i.e., untap with Guard Dogs, block with a different vampire, and then use Fast Reaction)?

Answer: No. You only get the maneuver if you successfully block the bleed (errata).

For reference, the equivalent card text for Guard Dogs was:
vtes.pl/card/40053