Cactus Game Design Message Boards

THe wording on Holy Grail has been eratta'ed to state that you can convert an EC in territory Only. Since it cannot be used in battle, and it can only be used once per turn, it is most often used when it is first activated.  I am not sure if that is the only time it can be used but I would assume so, that it is used when it is activated.

For David's harp I can't remember what the wording is.  I will have to look it up int he REG.  JUst a note. If you have ruling questions such as these, it is common courtesy to post the Special Ability with it by copying it from the REG so that others dont have to run to the reg to answer the questions....like I am having to do now..


*EDIT*

Here is the SA on David's Harp:

Type: Artifact • Brigade: None • Ability: None • Class: None • Special Ability: Following a rescue attempt holder may select one Hero that is about to be discarded and place Hero on top of owner's draw pile. Prevent Evil Spirit. • Play As: Following any rescue attempt holder may select one of holder’s Heroes that was or is about to be discarded from battle and place Hero on top of owner's deck. Prevent Evil Spirit. • Identifiers: None • Verse: I Samuel 16:23

Since it says "folloowing rescue attempt" I am going to say that you cannot put a hero on top of your deck  from CM in the middle of battle.

Eh, I didn't get that far.  I shoulda read the "Play As" ruling.

 

Holy Grail must be used when activated (see I am Creator ruling)

The ability is optional, but optional does not equal ongoing.  You ethier use it when activated or forfeit the ability to use it that turn.

how many times are we going to see this question *answers self* until we get the correct answer clift- oh ok

Since there's three threads and I want to make sure this gets addressed, I'll most my response in all three threads:

If optional abilities MUST be used when they are activated in the prep phase, then please tell me how ANY of the following work?


Holy Grail: Holder may convert one human evil character per turn into a Hero in the brigade color of holder's choice.  Holder is limited to two such conversions per game.

Unsucessful: Negate the last good Enhancement played in battle (may be used once).

Covenant of Noah: Use as an enhancement or an Artifact.  Interrupt and prevent one evil enhancement.  Discard after use.

Go into Captivity: If your warrior class Evil Character is in battle, you may discard this card to capture a Hero.

Unholy Writ: A human Hero in battle may be taken prisoner.  Discard Artifact after use.

I am Healing: Holder may heal all of holder’s Heroes in play.  May be used twice. (how can this be used as an artifact if it only activates during your prep phase?)

I am Love: If a human Evil Character (except warrior class) is blocking your Hero, interrupt the battle and search discard pile for a white brigade enhancement with “ignore” in the special ability and play it. Limit once per turn.  (How can this be used if it only activates once?)

*EDIT*

The ability is optional, but optional does not equal ongoing.  You ethier use it when activated or forfeit the ability to use it that turn.

The REG says otherwise about artifacts:

Artifact
An artifact is a card having a continuing effect in the game. A grail icon in the icon box shows the card is an artifact.

So artifacts are by nature, constantly ongoing.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but wasn't there a rule that optional instant ability artifacts could be used at any time during a turn?

Yes. In fact there was a very long discussion in several different threads. That's what is most frustrating to me. All of us that frequent the boards hashed this whole debate out over a week's time. We did not all necessarily agree, but when the final conclusion was decided that distinguished "optional use" artifacts from others, I thought that brought closure so that hosts could all rule consistently.

Now, months later, while players have been perfecting their decks for the big tournaments, this very ruling is overturned in one game with one person who was not part of that discussion, and who frankly is rarely even on the boards. To me, that is not an acceptable option, and makes all the time we spent debating about it online worthless.

When we are playing, we have in our mind what card we are about to play, and that decision is dependent upon other cards in play. Our decisions are part of a larger plan, typically. To have those decisions thwarted by an inconsistent ruling is likely to change the outcome of the game. The higher the level of the tournament, the more significant that outcome will be.

This type of scenario is unfair to the players. This scenario was supposed to be avoided by having this Message Board. Bany's ruling may be completely correct, but that is not the way that all of us here on the boards were told to rule it. Bany needed to be on the boards during the discussions we had months ago to say what he just said yesterday. Yesterday was too late, IMO.

I mean this as no disrespect to Chris Bany, so please do not take it that way. Hopefully I have expressed logically why this scenario is bad for the game overall.

Actually, he was playing The Judge we had ruled in his favor, he's expressing his opinion of the ruling now.

Bryon to the rescue!

I mean this as no disrespect to Chris Bany, so please do not take it that way.

none taken.

this is the frustrating thing for people trying to put on tournaments that don't have the time to be on the boards constantly.  having been given the Covenant of Noah example, I agree with the ruling (as confirmed by Bryon) that optional artifacts don't have to be used when activated.

I guess I'll go back to calling Bryon or Mike when I have a ruling question rather that posting on here so I don't rehash old news.

in Him
Chris

PS:  hey to everyone, I'm still out here, wish I had more time to be on the boards like the old days.  Hope to see you all in Boston