I've updated with answers to most of your questions, along with some guidance that should cover those I didn't specifically address.
Viewing post in MONSTER GUTS Rules Clarifications comments
I'm glad it hasn't been too annoying! I played this with my wife over the weekend, and she really enjoyed it too. I really appreciate you taking the time to help answer my questions.
A few more rules questions came up during our recent play session; I hope I won't bother you if I keep asking. I have some idea of how they might work, but I like collaborating on finding answers. I'll ask them below:
- How is Harm inflicted calculated for the War Bugle? Is it based off of current Melody (such as with Edge for other melee weapons), or does it have a fixed damage like ranged weapons, or something else?
- If a special weapon move doesn't have a listed Harm, does it inflict Harm equal to the current Edge, like a regular attack, but with any modifiers listed in the text of the move? (for example, Greatsword's Whirlwind move)
- When spending Edge to use a special move, is the cost deducted before or after the move occurs? This question came up when my wife used the Charged Swing on a greatsword, but was confused by the wording; if it deals double the current Edge, then she would only deal 4 damage after spending 2 Edge to use the move, which would be equivalent to a normal swing at maximum Edge.
- If you fill up a monster's Stun clock and it is stunned for its turn, do you skip the Tempo Change entirely, or just prevent any attacks it would have used?
Not at all.
The war bugle is intended to have a fixed base damage like bows and bowguns. I don't have their rules in front of me, but I think some of their special moves scale with Melody.
Yes, special attacks without listed Harm use the weapon's current Edge value. Also, Edge gets spent after the attack (to avoid the situation your wife describes).
I'd probably forego the Tempo Change if the monster was stunned, unless the scavengers were in need of a more challenging fight. In that case, I'd just pick something to intrude upon the Bout.