A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from the Wayback Machine (its copy), so posts it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
A player, 8 March 2005
I attach Troll War Band to Hoshi Eisai (exp) and declare an Ambush with him. My opponent plays Refugees on his personality as his first action. None of us has any more Battle or Open actions playable, neither on cards in play, nor in our hands, except of course Eisai's ability. I cannot pass because the War Band is unbowed (and I cannot use its abilities), but I can copy someone's Force infinitely many times with Eisai.
1. Is the game a draw?
2. If either of us has Same Old Tricks in hand, are we required to play it, to let the game continue?
3. Could I play Fall On Your Knees on my opponents Same Old Tricks, deliberately creating a situation, where the game is locked (e.g. he has no more cards, therefore I know that this will be the case)?
Thank you!
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 8 March 2005
I attach Troll War Band to Hoshi Eisai (exp) and declare an Ambush with him. My opponent plays Refugees on his personality as his first action. None of us has any more Battle or Open actions playable, neither on cards in play, nor in our hands, except of course Eisai's ability. I cannot pass because the War Band is unbowed (and I cannot use its abilities), but I can copy someone's Force infinitely many times with Eisai. Is the game a draw?
No, you lose for annoying a deputy rules guy. Look, use a little common sense here. Send the War Band unit home and get on with the game. (No, this is not a rules based solution. This is a pragmatic recommendation of what I would do as a tournament judge to ensure that games progress in a timely manner.)
If either of us has Same Old Tricks in hand, are we required to play it, to let the game continue?
No. You are never required to play a reaction.
Could I play Fall On Your Knees on my opponents Same Old Tricks, deliberately creating a situation, where the game is locked (e.g. he has no more cards, therefore I know that this will be the case)?
Yes.
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 8 March 2005
It's amazing what goes through your head while you're getting your teeth cleaned. It took me a while, but I have a rule-based answer now.
The first ability on Troll War band is not targeted (Web of Lies rulesheet). Therefore, it is legal to take regardless of whether there is a Province in the battle or not. Obviously, the reduction in Province strength will fail, but this removes the possibility of mandated actions by an unbowed Troll War Band. If a player chooses to use the Experienced Hoshi Eisai's ability repeatedly in this situation, then that player is stalling.