Errata'ed Saori

quick question:

With the errata on Saori, is she still a valid target for her own ability?

edit: thank you.

If she is an unbowed Duelist, yes. Targets are picked before costs are paid.

If one or more of an action's targets become illegal between when they are chosen and when the action begins to resolve, that action will not affect those targets. This remains true even if they become illegal, then return to being legal. [JA, 15 June 2004; 22 June 2004]

Saori's action will fail to produce a Duel since she's an illegal target and the duel would affect her.

Previously, Saori's targeting requirements was only "target a duelist," with the restriction on Unbowed status stemming from the page 54 of the Diamond Edition Rulebook:

Also, a bowed Personality may not cast Spells, and may not perform actions that issue challenges."

To meet that rule, the Personality casting a Spell or Performing a Challenge Action must be unbowed at the start of that Action, but could become bowed in the course of paying for it - as most Spells require that of Shugenja (Walking the Way, Cascading Fire, etc.) and most Personalities do to issue innate challenges (Kakita Toshimoko, Akodo Jusho, etc.)

However, once you make "unbowed" part of the card's own targeting requirements, becoming bowed to pay for the cost is going to hose you.

Under the current Errata and Rules, Doji Saori can't successfully initiate a Duel between herself and anyone else via her ability unless you find some way to waive the cost of bowing her.