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.
When do you announce the amount you'll pay for the ranged of Moshi Takako. Before or after the targets?
Moshi Takako Mantis Clan • Thunder • Shugenja • Naval • Unique Battle: Bow Takako, choose a number from 1 to 10, and pay that much Gold: Ranged Attack with strength equal to the number chosen.
Outer Walls Reaction: After a Ranged Attack is targeted: Give it –2 strength.
Ranged Attack http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Glossary_R#Ranged_Attack
When do you announce the amount you'll pay for the ranged of Moshi Takako. Before or after the targets?
Moshi Takako Mantis Clan • Thunder • Shugenja • Naval • Unique Battle: Bow Takako, choose a number from 1 to 10, and pay that much Gold: Ranged Attack with strength equal to the number chosen.
Outer Walls Reaction: After a Ranged Attack is targeted: Give it –2 strength.
Ranged Attack http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Glossary_R#Ranged_Attack
After targeting.
The choosing of the number is part of the "pay costs" step, being sandwiched in between two costs and dictating the latter of them as it does.
I just wanted to make sure I understand the ruling made here:
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=82534
It seems that my opponent must choose to Outer Walls the ranged attack from Takako before I choose the value. Following the normal process of using an action:
1. I announce the use of Takako's action. 2. I target a 3 Force personality in the opposing army. My opponent may now choose to play his Outer Walls. 3. I bow Takako, choose a value for her action, and pay the associated cost. I can select either 3 or 5 (if he played the Outer Walls). If he has not played Outer Walls before this point he cannot choose to do so now, since the trigger has already passed. 4. I resolve the range attack, killing the opposing personality.
Moshi Takako Battle: Bow Takako, choose a number from 1 to 10, and pay that much Gold: Ranged Attack with strength equal to the number chosen.
Outer Walls Reaction: After a Ranged Attack is targeted: Give it –2 strength.
It seems that my opponent must choose to Outer Walls the ranged attack from Takako before I choose the value.
That's what was said in the previous answer.
Required targets come before costs (http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Abilities_and_actions). The value chosen is chosen as part of costs.