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, 3 March 2009
Sorry if this is already answered, but long time ago I've tried a search and come with lots of results; and even after reading some of them, I haven't found the it anyway..
Ok, the question is: When a card says "Cannot", according to "http://rules.l5r.com/Glossary_C#Cannot";, it means the same as "Negate when target" (with the proper rule wording, course).
So, if I have Chen (Moto Chen - SE version) and my opponent's use Governor's Court political ability, may I target Chen and negate it's whole effects?
Moto Chen's Text:
Unicorn Clan • Vigilant • Samurai • Cavalry • Tactician • Experienced 2 • Unique Political Actions cannot target Chen. While dishonorable, Chen has -2F/-1C. Before Chen enters play or overlays: Dishonor him. Tactical Battle: Move home a target Personality opposing Chen. Bow the target. If he is a Kolat or Ratling, destroy him. Rehonor Chen.
GC's text:
Bow this card: Produce 2 Gold. Political Open: Even if this card is bowed, bow this card or one of your target Courtiers: Choose another player. He may bow one of his Personalities. If he did not bow a Personality, gain 2 Honor.
[Mod edit: Thread title. Please make them descriptive. -ZF]
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 3 March 2009
(I)f I have Chen (Moto Chen - SE version) and my opponent's use Governor's Court political ability, may I target Chen and negate its whole effects?
No.
http://rules.l5r.com/Glossary_C#Cannot: "In card text, when referring to ... targeting... "cannot" is a restriction on the legality of that thing in the first place, not negation of its effects."
A player, 4 March 2009
Regarding this topic. The ability on Governor's Court doesn't say that your opponent has to target the Personality he chose, so while I think the answer was technically correct (Chen can't negate the bowing), the reasoning was false.
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 4 March 2009
The ability on Governor's Court doesn't say that your opponent has to target the Personality he chose, so while I think the answer was technically correct (Chen can't negate the bowing), the reasoning was false.
The original question used the word "target," which threw me. GIGO.
The other reason this doesn't work is that Governor's Court looks for whether bowing happened, not what choice you made. If it asked for what you tried to do, this would work.