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.
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According to this. Can a crab player who allied with the defender pull followers from his discard pile waiving costs? (assuming he is opposed at the time)
Castle Barracks: Castle. Bow this card to produce 2 Gold, or 3 Gold if paying when a Follower. Battle: If you are a Crab Clan player or if you are the Defender and have only one province: Target one of your Personalities. Attach a Follower to him from your discard pile, waiving costs if he is defending and opposed.
Castle Barracks: Can a crab player who allied with the defender pull followers from his discard pile waiving costs? (assuming he is opposed at the time)
Yes. If "he is defending and opposed" refers to the Personality, not the player.
Concerning the ruling here
Castle Barracks specifies Defender. The question requesting a ruling asked about a defending ally. In view of other cards that specifically refer to allying as opposed to primary combatants such as Essence of Water, wouldn't the specific term 'Defender' in the Castle Barracks' text imply that the player cannot use it's ability as a defending ally?
Concerning the ruling here
Castle Barracks specifies Defender. The question requesting a ruling asked about a defending ally. In view of other cards that specifically refer to allying as opposed to primary combatants such as Essence of Water, wouldn't the specific term 'Defender' in the Castle Barracks' text imply that the player cannot use it's ability as a defending ally?
The original question was about a Crab defending ally. A Crab ally may use the Ability when defending or attacking, and may waive the cost of the Follower if the target Personality is defending and opposed. A non-Crab ally may not use the Ability.