Cactus Game Design Message Boards

So how does Ark and Pieces work? Are they mandatory uses if they can be used to discard the opposing character? Do I get to choice when I use it? Are they used regardless of targets?.....Does my 30 pieces discard my heroes when I attack?  I have never been at a tournament where this came up and not seen disagreement.

I think they are both mandatory uses. The way 30 pieces of silver is worded it sounds like it discard your own hero as well and you have no choice in the matter. The way the Ark of the Covenant is worded from Warriors if you activate it, it discards all of the evil characters that blocked (even your own if your opponent bands them in) and you have no choice in the matter win or lose. The way the Ark of the Covenant from Kings is worded you get to choose one evil character that blocked and discard it regardless of the battle outcome. Now of course I'm not sure about any of this. It's just the way that I interpreted. I'm hoping if more people talk about it on the post that it will be answered for sure.

Can we get a ruling on the Ark of the Covenant if you get to choose which evil character is discarded if there are two in battle? Or does your opponent get to choose?

Ark of the Covenant
Regardless of the outcome, one evil character an opponent used to block the rescue attempt is discarded at the end of battle. Limit holder to two such discards per game.

AotC and TPoS are both mandatory abilities that must resolve when triggered (you don’t get the option when to use the ability), whether it’s your own hero that’s being discarded by TPoS or your opponent’s, or if it’s one of your ECs that was banded in that’s discarded by AotC or your opponent’s EC. Concerning the choice of two ECs that are viable targets for discard, since the wording on AotC doesn’t give the holder/controller the choice as to which EC is discarded, the controller (permanent or temporary) of the ECs chooses which one is discarded.

So which answer is correct? That is two exact opposite answers. Does the holder of AoTC choose which evil character is discard or does the holder of the evil characters choose?

Honestly, the way AotC is worded it could be read for the holder of AotC to choose which EC is discarded or the holder of the ECs.

This is one of the problems Redemption has on many its cards (older and newer cards): no clarification text. A few extra clarifying words on abilities would prevent much confusion during games, as well as prevent these kinds of forum questions. Hopefully the elder team will keep this in mind when creating any future cards. As for the inevitable rebuttal: “But the more clarifying words there are the less abilities can be added to each card.” My answer would be to simply make the picture smaller (the picture isn’t that important) and enlarge the text box to accommodate clarifying wording and abilities wording.