Scouts and ambushes

[Barritus]

This is probably being a bit pedantic, but I'm aware in the rules of how often a single word can be significant. In this case the single significant word is "immediately".

In the rules for Scouting on page 15, it says in part:

If any scouting element scores 4, the furthest forward only of any enemy ambushing elements must immediately be placed. If any scouting element scores 5 or 6, all enemy elements used in Ambush...stratagems must be placed...

Note that the word "immediately" is only used when scouts roll a 4, but not a 5 or 6. In other words, the rule suggests to me that if your scouts roll a 5 or 6 the enemy ambushing elements must be placed, but not immediately, which in turn suggests they get placed with the rest of the army.

I'm sure this is wrong. That is, I'm sure the whole ambush should be placed immediately but I just wish the rules said so.

[landmeister]

Interesting. I tend to believe that what is written is what the Phil wants to played. Trying to find other meanings and interpretations tends to be extremely frustrating, no matter what common sense is pointing out 

[Orcoteuthis]

I took the liberty of sending this on to the Yahoo list, in the hopes it'll garner more attention there.

[Barritus]

I took the liberty of sending this on to the Yahoo list, in the hopes it'll garner more attention there.

Thank you.

I should probably resubscribe, but the signal-to-noise ratio was poor when I left.

[Orcoteuthis]

There wasn't a lot of response to this one. FWIW, noted Phil-ologist Lawrence Greaves opined that the most natural reading was that a 5 or 6 too caused immediate deployment.

[Valentinian Victor]

I fully agree with Lawrence, the only logical interpretation is that on a score of 4 only the lead ambushing element is deployed (which in itself could cause some problems), and on a 5 or 6 the whole lot are deployed. Anyone who suggests that a better score leads to a worse outcome is surely trying it on to be honest.

[Barritus]

 And I agree with everyone's interpretation. It's the only one which makes sense.

But it's just that little memory which niggles me - Phil saying the rules say what they mean and mean what they say. A strict interpretation of that statement means the absence of the word "immediately" from the second sentence is significant.

Thanks everyone (and I've rejoined the email list).