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I question the logic of that, just because I have it "active" and my opponent chooses not to RA because of it, it shouldn't count as a use.  The card does not specify that, what is to stop anyone from applying that ruling to AotC or TPoS?  What was the original intent of the card, that should be the basis for how it operates.


EDIT *****

Is the original thread around where this was debated so I can avoid us having to rehash this again?  I can not find it.

Quote from: Korunks on July 21, 2009, 02:10:31 PM

But does it get used if no block happens?

Yes because it still affected how or whether your opponent attacked to begin with.

So does 30PoS. I still don't understand how Tribute works any differently.

You know, whenever I leave Captured Ark active without using it, my opponent never tells me to discard it anyways. Am I playing that illegally?

I understand how you guys are explaining it, but I don't see how that came to be since non of that extra info is on the card.  It has been said we play cards as they are written now, Nothing about the card being used even if there is no battle, is on there.  So based on two cards with completely different wording we rule that it adds something to a battle( which isn't on the card) instead of having to have a battle to operate.  That does not follow from the precedent set by other cards.  I am may be wrong on this, but show me the other precedent for ruling this way please.  This feels to me a way to weaken the card, not necessarily clarify it.  We have two conflicting precedent's and it seems that it is more like AotC then TPoS.  I have not seen any explanation of why this ruling was achieved, just what the ruling is.  It still just doesn't make sense to me.

...the mere fact that the artifact is up directly affects the battle in the choice or characters on both sides and whether or not the opponent even wants to RA.

Example: Would I RA with my Lois and Glittering Sword if I knew my enhancements were going to be negated by your many Assyrians? Probably not.

I would be interested to hear an explanation of how this is different than AotC.

Arch has it right. The wording on AT has nothing to suggest it's only useful during turns with battles. A use for an artifact is being active at normal state. Ark disrupts normal state and specifies when it is active. AT does not, therefore it is always active and thus is used simply by being the active artifact.

Well I don't like it and think it doesn't play the way it should but I won't argue against the consensus.  I agree to disagree.

Is David a musician? He played music for Saul.

Also, is Assyria's Tribute ("While you are blocking with an Assyrian, negate all special
abilities on Enhancements and Heroes. Cannot be negated during the
battle phase. May be used twice per game.") used when it is activated
or when an Assyrian blocks?

Just to confirm what others has already said:

1)  Yes, David is a musician - lots of biblical evidence for this.

2)  Used = activated

Didn't she only sing/dance like...once?