Failing action before block attempts

Another followup:

If the AI ruling is the reference, does that mean "failing the action" has to be played "after blocks are declined"?

groups.google.com/g/rec.games.trading-cards.jyhad/c/37EYK3FA30k/m/QynliahgIzQJ

Hobbesgoblin wrote:

Another followup:

If the AI ruling is the reference, does that mean "failing the action" has to be played "after blocks are declined"?

That would break existing rulings on playing HtH cross table (such as the discussion in www.vekn.net/forum/rules-questions/72462-hide-the-heart-timing-questions#72626)

Ankha wrote:

Full quote is:

> Before block attempts are declared?
Yes.

> After block attempts are declared?
Yes.

I read it as: you can play the card either before or after block attempts (but not during per the Archon Investigation ruling).

I question the above interpretation. The full quote is actually per below.
Clearly it is being asked considering the 3 possible steps related to blocking....

"are declared" is an important part of the sentences making up the questions.


"before block attempts are declared" - explicitly clear

"after block attempts are declared" - not explicit, but by the follow-on question, it is clear that it refers to "while attempting to block, i.e., after declaring an attempt to block before the outcome of the attempt ... if it didnt, it would make it moot as it is the same as the step before or after this

"After a block is successful" - explicitly clear

> At what points during an action is there a window to play Hide the
> Heart at basic Valeren?
The standard reaction window:
After "as announced" and before action resolution.

> In the "as the action is declared" window?

No.

> Before block attempts are declared?

Yes.

> After block attempts are declared?

Yes.

> After a block is successful, but before combat begins (ie, the Change
> of Target/Obedience window)?

Resolution, no.

> During a referendum?

Resolution, no.

> My prey declares an attempt to bleed his prey. May I play Hide the
> Heart before my grandprey chooses whether or not to attempt to block?
> (I'm not sure how the impulse works in that situation.)

No.
Impulse works as given in "sequencing" [1.6.1.5]