How am I suppose to know what is mandatory for an action to be played and what just fizzles because its ok if it fails?
The mandatory cost of an action is found in the constraints block.
Constraints block: An ability may contain a second colon at some point after the designator’s colon, creating a constraints block before the effects block. If it does not have this second colon, there is only an effects block.
So I understand the constraints block. So I look at the Effects block.
Effects block: An ability’s effects are described in an effects block. This comes after the action designator’s colon if there is no constraints block, and after the second colon if there is a constraints block.
I see Rulings like http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=90667&p=1204877&hilit=effects#p1204877
Then I look at cards Like
Infamous Strike Battle: Bow a target enemy dishonorable Personality. His controller loses 2 Honor. Your delegates go to war in court. Choose a player. Give all his Personalities +1F or -1F.
So there is no constraints block. Effect list: Bow a target enemy dishonorable personality. (fail. he has no dishonorable personality or presence) His Controller loses 2 honor. (fail. didnt target anything) Your delegates go to war in court. (ok) Choose a player. (I choose me) Give all his personalities +1F or -1F. (Give all mine +1)
To me that shouldn't work just by logic but by the rules it does?
Another example.
Shosuro Aroru (Experienced 2)
Reaction: When an action would target a Ninja at Aroru's location: Choose another of your cards. The action targets it instead, if legal. After the action's resolution, you may move Aroru to a different location.
Constraints block: When an action would target a Ninja at Aroru's location: (ok aroru was targeted)
Effects Block: Choose another of your cards. (I target a holding) The action targets it instead, if legal. (fail. so target didnt change) After the action's resolution, you may move Aroru to a different location.(I move him)
There are quite a few cards like these I run into while playing and I really don't understand it. I can look at a card and tell what its suppose to do but when people start twisting the cards wording to work in an unintended way it gets hard to argue against a rule book vs logic. (L5R law just as messed up as ours?)
I must be missing something big here.
Thanks in advance.