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, 1 October 2009
[Mod edit: Red text removed. Coloured text is reserved for mod use. Red text in particular is used for mod warnings. Mods are increasingly going to be clamping down on using coloured text. It's mod impersonation, and can get you a warning. So please don't do it. Thanks. -ZF]
Hi, I would like to ask if it's possible for shinjo ki-chang's ability to move my other personality with a follower even if Ki-Chang is not at the current battlefield or is Ki-Chang can be my only legal target since he's not there? I know my question sounded stupid but it confuses me because of what's stated in the rule of location. Rule of location states:
Rule of Location
The Rule of Location: This rule has two parts: 1. Any cards in units must be at the current battlefield to be legally targeted by a Battle action. 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.
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.
Shinjo Ki-Chang Battle: Even if Ki-Chang is not at the current battlefield, if any enemy units are there: Move your target Personality with a Follower there.
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 1 October 2009
(Is it) possible for shinjo ki-chang's ability to move my other personality with a follower even if Ki-Chang is not at the current battlefield or is Ki-Chang can be my only legal target since he's not there?
The former. Ki-Chang can move other units. That the ability moves a unit into a battlefield waives the first part of the rule of location , and the ability text waives the second part of the rule of location.
A player, 2 October 2009
I'm sorry but could you clarify this ruling further for me: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=79438
The CE comprehensive rules states under rule of location http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Battles#Rule_of_Location:
"EXCEPTION: As with the Rule of Presence, a Battle action can target or be taken by a card in a unit at another location if its costs or effects say they are able to move that unit to the current battlefield. The player who is taking the action must take choices within the action, if possible, such that they do move that unit there." (emphasis mine)
Is Ki-chang, or any other card with the same ability, an exception using the Cardinal Rules (card vs. rules)? This means that Ki-Chang can ignore both the Rules of Presence and Location (using the appropriate exceptions assuming you, in good faith, target a legal unit to move into the current battlefield)? Or does the answer to the quoted question change if I am exercising the exception to the rule of presence (as the original poster did not state whether or not he had presence)?
Thank you.
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 2 October 2009
I'm sorry but could you clarify this ruling further for me: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=79438
The CE comprehensive rules states under rule of location http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Battles#Rule_of_Location:
"EXCEPTION: As with the Rule of Presence, a Battle action can target or be taken by a card in a unit at another location if its costs or effects say they are able to move that unit to the current battlefield. The player who is taking the action must take choices within the action, if possible, such that they do move that unit there." (emphasis mine)
Is Ki-chang, or any other card with the same ability, an exception using the Cardinal Rules (card vs. rules)? This means that Ki-Chang can ignore both the Rules of Presence and Location (using the appropriate exceptions assuming you, in good faith, target a legal unit to move into the current battlefield)? Or does the answer to the quoted question change if I am exercising the exception to the rule of presence (as the original poster did not state whether or not he had presence)?
Thank you.
Whoops. Looks like I goofed. Sorry.
If Kichang is not at the current battlefield, looks like he can only move himself as the exception is currently worded.
A player, 2 October 2009
per this: http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=79438
Shinjo Ki-Chang's ability says "Even if Ki-Chang is not at the current battlefield." Does this (or does this not) allow him to ignore the rule of location altogether? If it doesn't then why not? It seems that his ability makes the exception of the rule of location completely moot (as well as the rule itself).
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 2 October 2009
Shinjo Ki-Chang's ability says "Even if Ki-Chang is not at the current battlefield." Does this (or does this not) allow him to ignore the rule of location altogether?
Man, I am not having a good day on this one.
Double whoops. Had it right the first time. Not sure what I was thinking when I answered the second post. Or didn't read far enough.
Thanks for keeping me honest.