FASA Games, Inc.

We have another big area of contention, most of us have rope played before and think that conditional statements are OK, like I hit monster until he falls over and then move on to hit monster b (this assumes you have multiple attacks in 1 round) but others argue why have change of statement penalties in the system if conditional statements are allowed, I suggested that is their to cover significant changes that the player did not anticipate when making his declaration.

Does anybody know if it specifies anything anywhere about the above?

I think its because combat is fluid.
We don't stand facing each other for 30 seconds and exchange bashes.
if you try to attack someone/something else then you planned to do in those 30 seconds you need to take time to locate the new target, assess its defensive and offensive capabilities, move to approach and face it etc. as such you take a penalty on you actions against it.

but thats just my idea

Ukhata

I would agree with that. Before rolling Initiative (when checking for Tigerspring, etc) I usually ask for Target and if the intended action is Physical/Mystic/Social. Then, when the player (has to, or chooses to) change Targets or category of actions, I apply the penalty.