Cactus Game Design Message Boards

So, there are a lot of cards that refer to characters with decreased abilities. Usually, no problems are caused by this wording, as it seems pretty obvious what this means, but what if both a number-increasing card and a number-decreasing card are active at the same time? For example, what if my opponent has Plagued with Diseases active (and has more redeemed souls than I do), but I have Elijah's Mantle active? Does Weakness still work? No heroes are ultimately being decresed below face value, but they are being affected by a decrease ability. I would think that Weakness would not work in this case, but what if a hero had been permanently decreased, say by Chemosh?

I would rule that the character still has decreased abilities. When Mantle is active, the character's abilities should be X+2/Y+2, but if PWD is active, then they are X+2/Y (or X+2/Y-1) which is a decrease from what they should be. But I am not 100% sure.

woooow nice question bb. I guess the next question would be would decrease only be referring to the original numbers on the card or the total numbers including gained abilities?

Quote from: Professoralstad on April 15, 2010, 12:05:30 PM

I would rule that the character still has decreased abilities. When Mantle is active, the character's abilities should be X+2/Y+2, but if PWD is active, then they are X+2/Y (or X+2/Y-1) which is a decrease from what they should be. But I am not 100% sure.

But can't you do the reverse, and say that with PwD active, your heroes should be X/Y-2, but Mantle makes them X+2/Y instead? Is this a question of which was activated first?

Either way, the abilities are increased AND decreased. Since they are decreased, Weakness should work. It's like if you walk a mile due North, and then turn around and walk a mile due South (or vice versa). You walked two miles, but your net distance traveled is zero. So I guess it really depends on what decrease means: whether it automatically means net decrease, or if it means a decrease from any point. I'm inclined to go with the latter, but I suppose it's up for discussion.

I agree with Prof and RR

Well, that wasn't much of a discussion.

Well, now I'm very glad I asked the question, because I would have ruled otherwise if it arose during a game.