Understanding assets

[Thisendup]

Going to give some examples from Gibbering hordes because I play them the most

 

I am using the Frenzy, they have the Relic of Ancient Malifaux. When activated they can take a free morale action (nipping at their heels) and each frenzy can use the relic one time if they should wish. The relic does not give them an extra action, just another action they can take.

Using the Alpha Crawler with Massive Arms, the Alpha crawler may, if an enemy is in melee range, use the Gruesome Maw to bite and enemy AND may use the massive arms to punch an enemy giving the crawler effectively an additional action during it's turn. The action has versatile and may only be done once per turn.

Is my understanding correct?

[Clement]

There IS one limitation to taking versatile actions, and that is if a Fireteam is able to take multiple actions, they must all be taken in succession.  You can't move in between them.  So in your alpha crawler example it could not use Gruesome Maw to attack a model, advance somewhere else, then use Massive Arms to punch somebody.   He has to do all his advancing, then take all his actions, or else take his actions, then start advancing.

 

Note:  Commanders and their bonus Moral action are specifically exempt from this.  They *could* do Morale action, advance somewhere, then resolve the rest of their actions.

[spooky_squirrel]

2 hours ago, Thisendup said:

I am using the Frenzy, they have the Relic of Ancient Malifaux. When activated they can take a free morale action (nipping at their heels) and each frenzy can use the relic one time if they should wish. The relic does not give them an extra action, just another action they can take.

Per the Asset Card description in the rules (page 12 of the online PDF), this is correct. The Action described on the Asset is granted to the whole unit.

2 hours ago, Thisendup said:

Using the Alpha Crawler with Massive Arms, the Alpha crawler may, if an enemy is in melee range, use the Gruesome Maw to bite and enemy AND may use the massive arms to punch an enemy giving the crawler effectively an additional action during it's turn. The action has versatile and may only be done once per turn.

This is also correct, per the Versatile rule (quoted below for quick reference). Additionally, those actions do not have to target the same model/unit. It's an additional action, but only the specific action or actions granted by the Versatile Asset.

Additionally, as @Clement mentions: Versatile actions must be taken in immediate succession with the fireteam's action during the Advance Order. This is covered under the Orders rules in the rule book (page 21 of the online PDF). Commanders get a special pass on this with their free Morale Action as covered under the Commander special unit rule (page 10 of online PDF).

 

Quote

Versatile: Actions on this card may only be taken once during a unit’s Activation. A Fireteam in this unit may take an Action listed on this card in addition to any other Actions it takes.

 

Edited January 16, 2019 by spooky_squirrel
Including "immediate succession" clause

[spooky_squirrel]

Thanks for the reminder @Clement -- I'll update my response to include your caveat.