Headbutt Resolution and Volatile

[ChristopherY]

Mega Incinerus gets headbutted, damage is applied to the hyper form, but since resolution of Power Attacks is step 3, the Volatile Reaction does not go off since it is step 5? I am a little confused about this since the damage is applied to the hyper form (normally step 6) I am uncertain if Volatile should go off or not.

[dhow tocor]

No, I'm not so sure. Anyone else?

[Mod_GoLu]

The headbutt drops the target to alpha after damage is applied, not during step 3. Is that what was causing the confusion?

[dhow tocor]

The headbutt drops the target to alpha after damage is applied, not during step 3. Is that what was causing the confusion?

Perhaps then I was right, since Volatile goes off due to being hit and not being damaged, that Volatile will go off in this situation?

[olesideburns]

If headbutt worked all in step 3... then Leviathron would be pretty cool, He'd be headbutting then Radial Attacking.

[PG_XandZero2]

The effects of power attacks are applied early in the attack sequence, and I also know that Volatile doesn't kick in when a Volatile monster gets smashed or thrown...

I'd have to have a rulebook in front of me to say one way or the other though.

[Mod_GoLu]

The headbutt effect is resolved during step 3, but the effect is "later, drop the target to alpha". Similar to how lightning attack is resolved in step 4 but the new attack doesn't start until after the first is finished. The wording in the book is unclear; the errata has had a line in there for a while that clarifies the timing of the power attack:

"If the target monster is in its hyper form when it is hit and its alpha form has not been destroyed, after applying damage to the hyper form, replace it with the alpha form."

The target of the headbutt remains in hyper form until after damage is applied (step 6). All reactions on the hyper form are resolved. No reactions on the alpha form are resolved; the alpha form isn't on the map during step 5.