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, 10 February 2011
There is a discussion concerning Lack of Vigilance, which is coming to the conclusion that, while Lack of Vigilance prevents the named Fate card from being played, as well as prevent the named card from entering play, that the named card can still be focussed in a duel, and can still use it's Focus Effect. While this is completely antithetical to my understanding of Lack of Vigilance, I do have to ask; are the rules for duelling different from the rest of the game in this respect?
Name a card. Until your next turn begins, Fate cards with that title may not be played and will not enter play. (This includes taking actions from Strategies and Rings out of play).
My reading of this card's text is such that, in no way can the named card enter play during the affected duration. And my understanding of duelling is that the duel's Focus Pool enters play to accomplish it's Focus Effects. I understand that a duel does not play by the same basic rules as the rest of Legend of the Five Rings, but I would think that the global effect of Lack of Vigilance would apply to any and all areas of the game, especially since it includes reminder text referring to Strategy and Ring cards that are out of play.
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 10 February 2011
Lack of Vigilance: are the rules for duelling different from the rest of the game in this respect?
Too broad too answer.
(M)y understanding of duelling is that the duel's Focus Pool enters play to accomplish it's Focus Effects.
Let's see. I'll search for "play" here: http://rules.l5r.com/CE_Challenges_and_duels
"Player"... "Player..." Ah!
"Focusing a card is not considered playing it." (Emphasis added.) Your understanding was incorrect.
A player, 11 February 2011
Referring to this thread. http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=88877
I've accepted the difference between focussing a card and playing a card. I am assuming, based on my reading of Lack of Vigilance, however, that you are disallowed from bringing Ring of Fire into play through it's own text, if I have named Ring of Fire when my Lack of Vigilance turns up in my province. I understand that focussing a card is different from playing a card, but I just want to confirm that there isn't some wierdness of the rules that makes Ring of Fire able to enter play through a Focus Effect. Thank you for your time.
Brook Cunningham (rules official), 11 February 2011
Referring to this thread. http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=88877
I've accepted the difference between focussing a card and playing a card. I am assuming, based on my reading of Lack of Vigilance, however, that you are disallowed from bringing Ring of Fire into play through it's own text, if I have named Ring of Fire when my Lack of Vigilance turns up in my province. I understand that focussing a card is different from playing a card, but I just want to confirm that there isn't some wierdness of the rules that makes Ring of Fire able to enter play through a Focus Effect. Thank you for your time.
Nope, no weirdness. Ring of Fire, if named for Lack of Vigilance, will not enter play by its Focus Effect.
"Will not enter play" is an ongoing prevention effect. For its duration, if Ring of Fire is named and then focussed and reduced as per its Focus Effect, it will try to enter play, but Lack of Vigilance's effect will cause the effect of it entering play to fail.