Cactus Game Design Message Boards

The "While you are blocking" part would seem to indicate that the card's "use" would end after the Battle Phase, if that is what you are asking.

A "use" happens when you activate the card, with some notable exceptions (IaJ), so it's discarded after two turns of being up.

The first part of the special ability has nothing to do with the last sentence.  The "May be used twice per game" sentence is what is important to note on this card.  An artifact is considered "used" if it is activated.  Therefore, simply activating it constitutes a use.  If your opponent does not attack you or you block an attack with an evil character that is not an Assyrian while Assyria's Tribute is active, that does not matter.  The first part of the special ability is conditional and only occurs if that condition is met.  The second sentence is not conditional and happens independently of the first ability.

This is why many players refer to this card as a "one-sided Burial Shroud."  Many players will choose not to attack with Tribute active, but the holder of the artifact may still make a rescue attempt.

Kirk

  remember I was right

I didn't necessarily mean that they were intentionally cheating; it's just that I've lost so many opportunities to attack - and thus also a few games - because of a single misplayed card.

I"m pretty sure that TPoS activates every RA.  It isn't a choice I believe.

I"m pretty sure that TPoS activates every RA.  It isn't a choice I believe.

I think I understand Scottie's point. If TPoS activates only during a RA, why not the same for AT?

But why would the word "may" be in the SA if it wasn't to give the user an option as to weather or not to use it?  Why doesn't it just say "is only used twice"?

because it can't say "must be used twice".  It may be used never, once, or twice.  "may be used twice" to me means how many times you can use it, now when you can use it.

However, I see both sides.  I"m not 100% myself.

Hey,

because it can't say "must be used twice".  It may be used never, once, or twice.   "may be used twice" to me means how many times you can use it, now when you can use it.

This is exactly right.

Tschow,

Tim "Sir Nobody" Maly, WildCard Secretary of Defense
www.freewebs.com/redemptionne

Assyria's Tribute
Type: Artifact • Brigade: • Ability: None • Class: None • Special Ability: 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. • Identifiers: None • Verse: II Kings 17:3 • Availability: Faith of Fathers (Set 7)

Currently, I cannot locate the thread where this was discussed and I hope it wasn't lost in the purge, but it may have been. This is how Assyria's Tribute was ruled to be used - if you activate Assyria's Tribute, that is counted as a use.
I remember this because at the time FoOF was new and I was using an Assyrian Defense for late night games at the Nevada State Tournament and could not understand why if I did not with an Assyrian when it was activated it still counted as a use. To me the first sentence of the SA says it all, but it was said that "if by activating Assyria's Tribute causes your opponent to choose not to RA, that is counted as a use."  An Errata was said to be forthcoming, but I haven't seen it yet.
Unfortunately, I don't have any threads to back this up other than my word.    


Godspeed,
Mike