A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages 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, 29 August 2008
I realize that this should be pretty clear cut but I have a couple of questions about her.
Lion Clan • Courtier • Experienced Shosuro Yasuko • Unique
Battle: Even if Yasuko is home: Target a Personality not at the current battlefield. Move him there. If you do not control him, straighten him.
Can I use this ability without a personality at the current battlefield? I wouldn't think so, but if I can that would be super.
Political Reaction: Before another Lion Clan Personality is destroyed, destroy Yasuko: Negate the Personality's destruction.
Does this count battle resolution as well? It doesn't add any quantifiers such as 'another player's card,' action, etc. Again, I'd just like to be sure so that I'm not doing it wrong.
A player, 29 August 2008
Can I use [Yasuko's Battle] ability without a personality at the current battlefield?
Yes. Due to the rules of Presence and Location, you must target one of your Personalities, and if Yasuko is not home you must target herself.
Does [Yasuko's Reaction] count battle resolution as well?
Yes, no matter how your non-Yasuko Lion Clan Personality is destroyed, you can use her Reaction to negate his destruction.
Please use the search function before asking questions: see "Ikoma Yasuko and Battle Resolution".
A player, 29 August 2008
In regards to http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=70310.
Doesn't the phrase Even if Yasuko is home waive the rule of location, at least partially? If so, then she need not target herself even if you control no units at the current battlefield.
A player, 29 August 2008
Doesn't the phrase Even if Yasuko is home waive the rule of location, at least partially?
Yes, Yasuko's Battle action waives the second part of the Rule of Location (see below) while she is home.
Rule of Location, part 2: "If a Battle action is on a card in a unit (a Personality or attachment in play), the unit must be at the current battlefield in order to take that action"
If she is neither home nor at the current battlefield, her action must target herself because of the exception to the Rule of Location (see below).
Rule of Location, EXCEPTION: "A Battle Action can target or be taken by a card in a unit at another location if its costs or effects say they can move the unit to the current battlefield. Choices within the action must then be taken, if possible, such that they do move the unit there."
If so, then she need not target herself even if you control no units at the current battlefield.
Indeed, unless she is not home, which is exactly what I underlined in my previous answer by writing: "if Yasuko is not home you must target herself."