So can one even claim that PO by popping Bureau? I would think not, since it would not have been the whole action action phase at that point.
Mentak chose Warfare. Put Bonus to TG. We have a play at the end of Strat Phase, so asking Naalu to hold off.
Arborec to play AC (and anyone else for that matter).
Arborec play AC command summit. If it resolves, 2 more cc in command.
CC 2/6/6 TAP 2/6/4
Mentak use Daffren to swap DIplo with Arborec.
If nothing else, Naalu to start Action Phase.
Does Mentak retain the bonus cc from Warfare when he uses Daffrens ability?
The rules use the term “immediately” when describing the timing of converting Bonus counters into CC/TG, and the only exception that the FAQ proposes to this is when Strategic Flexibility AC is used.
So my vote would be for Mentak to keep the CC.
Side note: No Production, no Trade, no Technology. How interesting…
Naalu Tactical Action:
Activate Rigel I/Rigel II/Rigel III.
Move 1 Carrier (with Admiral, 5 Fighters, and 1 Ground Force from Maaluuk) from Maaluuk/Druaa into system.
Move 2 Cruisers (with 2 Ground Forces) from Quann into system.
Fire 2 PDS.
Petition Mentak not to fire PDS. ( 
No, sorry… It just struck me as funny.)
No AC to play.
Loss order for ships: Fighters, Carrier, Cruisers.
2.6.2 0tg 6ac 3pc
NAALU
I do not think he should. The Bonus counter rules predate the swapping of action card effects (Daffren and Hacan racial tech). Without direction otherwise, I would think that the bonus counter would stay with the card, much like the strategic flexibility decision in the FAQ.
I would like to amend my above action. Take 4 Fighters and 2 Ground Forces instead of 5 and 1. Both GF from Maaluuk.
I would think I get the Bonus Counter converted immediately, as mentioned above. And as you say, the bonus counter rules do predate swapping, which means old rules should stay in effect until otherwise stated. Anyways, this is how I decided on my choice. If the GM rules otherwise, I might have chosen differently.
The argument that the bonus counters are converted immediately does not fit with the FAQ ruling about strategic flexiblity. If that were the case, the counters would have converted when the card was originally chosen, and the FAQ for that specific AC implies otherwise. I would think the same logic would apply to SC swapping. IMO, the intent of bonus counters is to act as an incentive to pick less usable cards. Daffren and the Hacan SC swapping techs need no such incentive.
Just another one of the rule vagaries that create a whole new minigame of ‘rules argueing’.
That made me smile.
I’m going to rule that the bonus counter is removed before the merc swap. Reasoning being the explicit use of immediately in the base game rule book. I consider the FAQ concerning a specific AC to be the exception to the rule.
I actually have a problem with the FAQ concerning this topic. What if someone takes Bureaucracy with bonus counters on it, reveals an objective or two, and then plays that AC to put it back? Do you then take away those objectives you just flipped? Or is this a way to get very deep into the deck very quickly? (granted the odds are not high of this happening, but I’ve been wondering about it.)
Fire PDS and if my DD survives, AFB. Pause after please.
Rigel Space Battle
Naalu PDS 2@6 : 2,8 - 1hit
Mentak PDS 6@6 : 7,5,7,3,9,5 - 3hits
@Mentak - was that pause only if the dd lived?
@Naalu - need landing instructions
I’ll wait on Mentak’s requested pause.
Nothing further. Please continue.
Land GF on Rigel I.
gonna go ahead and take my turn.
activate leadership
exhaust tiamat, sakulag, and faunus
New CCTAP 2/6/4 1/4/3
Rigel I Invasion
Mentak PDS 1@6 : 3
Round 1
Naalu
4gf 4@8 : 3,9,8,2 - 2hits
Mentak
1gf 1@8 : 7
Naalu Leadership secondary:
Place 1CC (Strategy) 1CC (Command).
Exhaust Dal Bootha (2) Maaluuk (2).
3.5.3 0tg 6ac 3pc
NAALU
Nekro 1/6/2 2/5/3 Activate Leadership secondary. Buy 3 CC, pay with Jol,Nar, and Bellatrix.1 in SA 2 in CP
2/6/4 2/5/3
Arborec use leadership secondary. Exhaust tempestra and mehar xull to purchase 2 cc. 1 in strat, 1 in command
CC 3/6/7