Cactus Game Design Message Boards

Below is a description of how "star" abilities work. This is basically what appears in the PoC box with slightly updated wording to reflect that "star" abilities activate when drawn by game rule at the start of the turn.

Prophecies of Christ introduces the "star icon" in the special ability box. "Star" abilities may be activated if the card with the "star" card is drawn by game rule (your opening hand or the start of a turn). "Star" abilities are active before Lost Soul abilities. You may activate "star" abilities by revealing all "star" cards from hand you want to activate and carry out each "star" ability in the order you choose.

Just for clarity:

Star abilities activate before LS abilities, but you still place down and draw to replace the LSs first, right? If I draw two stars and a soul, I place down the soul, draw a third card, and then activate any stars before activating the soul's ability?

Correct. You complete the draw first, which includes replacing Lost Soul cards that are drawn.

Why were the star abilities not also able to activate during regular draws?  Why was it decided to keep them restricted to the opening hand?

So we better hope we draw the good star cards in the first hand.  Also, I am assuming they are optional. Plus, it shows that it wouldn't be a huge benefit to build a deck around the star abilities since one might not draw them first. 

Quote from: Gabe on December 11, 2018, 10:23:12 AM

Below is a description of how "star" abilities work. This is basically what appears in the PoC box with slightly updated wording to reflect that "star" abilities activate when drawn by game rule at the start of the turn.

Prophecies of Christ introduces the "star icon" in the special ability box. "Star" abilities may be activated if the card with the "star" card is drawn by game rule (your opening hand or the start of a turn). "Star" abilities are active before Lost Soul abilities. You may activate "star" abilities by revealing all "star" cards from hand you want to activate and carry out each "star" ability in the order you choose.

Quote from: Watchman on December 22, 2018, 08:56:07 AM

Why were the star abilities not also able to activate during regular draws?  Why was it decided to keep them restricted to the opening hand?

According to Gabes post they may be activated if drawn according to game rule (opening hand or the start of a turn). Unless I am missing what you are seeing.

Godspeed,
Mike

So they can be used at the beginning of other turns???

Yeah I see that now. I obviously missed it. And I was thinking about the wording in the box. Thx!

Just to make things clear:

Star abilities can only be activated directly after those cards are drawn, right? Or can they also be "saved" in order to be played later (this I would not assume)?

Regarding the drawing at each turn's begin: Do I have to draw all 3 cards first and activate Star abilities afterwards if I want? Or do I have to decide whether to use the Star ability after each individual of those 3 cards?

Thanks for clarification!

They cannot be "saved," they must be used when drawn or not at all.

Quote from: Bobbert on December 11, 2018, 10:33:22 AM

Just for clarity:

Star abilities activate before LS abilities, but you still place down and draw to replace the LSs first, right? If I draw two stars and a soul, I place down the soul, draw a third card, and then activate any stars before activating the soul's ability?

Correct. You complete the draw first, which includes replacing Lost Soul cards that are drawn.

Will append another question to my previous one: Whose Star-Abilities go first when drawn at opening hand?

Since some * cards can change the number of LS in each player's territory, you actually reevaluate after * cards are complete to determine who chooses the LS activation order.