Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I think the status quo for this card is that "used" only refers to when it is used, or triggered, but all other cards that operate that way, like Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant specifically refer to the action.  Similarly worded cards, like on Burial Shroud, refer to activations (as in turns), so maybe that's how The Silver Trumpets actually works?

I'm actually not sure how this one works, because how I've thought it was ruled doesn't match the wording and similar rulings.

Silver Trumpets is like Holy Grail because it says you "may" perform the action (i.e. you may discard), which makes it an "optional use artifact." For these types of artifacts, they are not "used" until you choose to activate the ability.

Assyrian Tribute is not optional, because it says "negate" rather than "you may negate." For these types of artifacts, as soon as you activate the artifact, it is considered a "use," even if you do not block with an Assyrian in this case. Burial Shroud is like this also.

The confusing part about whether an artifact is a "optional use artifact" is that the last line of both types says "May be used twice." That makes them all appear to be optional, but disregard the word "may" on that line. They should have worded that differently to avoid confusion. For an artifact to be optional use, the "may" must be in the sentence with the ability being used.

Why is AT considered used even if you aren't attacked? It seems to be a conditional ability where you don't get the benefit if the condition isn't met...