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, 24 January 2011
Broad Question: My question is what needs to be satisifed for an action to be classified as "used"? What would the technical definition of "used" be?
I know actions can: "- Abilities can only be used once per turn, unless a different usage limit is stated. Example: “Twice per turn” or “once per game.”"
It further clarifies that: "When such an ability is used, it is considered to have been used that turn (or other amount of time) even if the condition fails to be met, and is met again, in that time."
but I don't see a clear answer.
This question is a follow up to this thread.
More focused question: If the previously described sequence were used (announcing Acrobat Troupe, reacting with Only Actions Speak, and Reacting with Hamstrung and overpaying for Hamstrung with Acrobat Troupe), and for some reason the Acrobat Troupe were straightened (perhaps with Doji Kishio's ability), could the acrobat troupe honor gain ability be used since it wasn't fully used the first time? (common parlance would be that the action is used if it is announced, but I'm wondering if there is a technical definition that says an action is used only if costs are actually paid)
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 24 January 2011
What would the technical definition of "used" be?
There isn't one. Sometimes, we just use the regular English meaning of words.
(announcing Acrobat Troupe, reacting with Only Actions Speak, and Reacting with Hamstrung and overpaying for Hamstrung with Acrobat Troupe):
(If) for some reason the Acrobat Troupe were straightened..., could the acrobat troupe honor gain ability be used since it wasn't fully used the first time?
As the original thread said, you have a cost that has been interfered with. So you check the rules on cost interference:
http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Abilities_and_a ... tory_costs: "The action is still considered taken and ended, but not resolved, and the ability that created it is considered used." Emphasis added.
So the ability was used the first time and can't be taken again.