Piercing Strike + Multiple Attacks

[piousflea]

The text to Piercing Strike says:
"Target's next melee attack gains the Piercing +3 trait."

So what happens when you give Piercing Strike to a Hydra? The rulebook text for "Piercing +X" does not have an "only works once" limitation like "Melee +X".

However, the power of this combo seems to hinge upon the interpretation of "next melee attack".

Is Piercing Strike intended to apply to "next melee attack roll" (only the first of the Hydra's strikes), or "next melee attack action" (all three strikes)?

======
Also, on an unrelated note:
How come the text for Perfect Strike says "target's next melee attack this round gains the Unavoidable trait", while Piercing Strike says "target's next melee attack gains the Piercing +3 trait"?

Does this mean that I could cast Piercing Strike before the end of a round, and it would carry forward to the next round?

[Shad0w]

The text to Piercing Strike says:
"Target's next melee attack gains the Piercing +3 trait."

Because it states next attack I think it would only apply to the first.

but the piercing trait would apply to all attacks in the triple strike.


I believe they should both be this round.

[Arcanus]

Thanks Shadow.  They should both say this round.

Here is an excerpt from our upcoming FAQ, which may help with understanding the difference between an attack, and an attack action.

An attack action is a creature action (quick or full) used to make an attack. Sometimes the attack action will be an individual attack, or it might comprise multiple separate attacks.  For example, double strike, triplestrike, and sweeping are one attack action, but consist of multiple individual attacks. A zone attack is a single attack action with a separate individual attack made against each object inside that zone.

So, the Piercing applies to the very next attack, not a full attack action of multiple attacks.

If all goes well, this FAQ will be available by Monday. Shadow, do you have time tomorrow to proofread sir?

[Shad0w]

I will look it all over tonight Monday Mar 4th