#11 Properly Playing ... Dragon's Breath Rounds

  

A staple in block decks (at least those that want to torporize with Rötschreck), and fearsome to non-combat/combat ends decks, Dragon's Breath Rounds is a double-edged sword. It gives guns +2 aggravated damage each strike (including additional strikes), with the cost of burning the gun that used it.
This post is set aside on clarifying how to play DBR to maximize its impact, given its steep cost, especially if you use it with guns that cost >1 pool.

Card text:
Ammo.
Only usable before resolution of a gun's strike. This gun inflicts +2 aggravated damage each strike for the remainder of this combat. Burn the gun after strike resolution. No more than one ammo card can be used on a gun each combat.

Pascal has clarified that DBR is used after strikes have been declared, but before the strikes are applied. Moreover, it's the only time it can be played, unlike other strike-modifying cards like Wolf Claws which can be played at any time before strike resolution.

Context #1: Sabrina tries to bleed but Samson blocks. Combat ensues.

• Sabrina: No pre-range.
• Samson: Concealed Weapon/Saturday Night Special. No more pre-range.
• Sabrina: No more pre-range. No maneuver.
• Samson: Maneuver long with gun.
• Sabrina: No maneuver. Wave.
• Samson: 1R with gun. Modify strike with Dragon's Breath Rounds.
• Sabrina: :(

Context #2: Samson Ambushes Sabrina. Combat ensues.

• Samson: Concealed Weapon/Saturday Night Special. No more pre-range.
• Sabrina: No pre-range.
• Samson: Maneuver long with gun.
• Sabrina: No maneuver.
• Samson: 1R with gun.
• Sabrina: Majesty. Combat ends.
• Samson: (Withhold Dragon's Breath Rounds for the next combat.)

Just like many other aspects of V:tES, the Methuselah should wait for the opportune moment to unleash the +2R aggravated damage for full effect (say, to be followed up with a Graverobbing).