Daigotsu Hotako vs Yoritimo Hiromi

L5R CCG Rules board, 18 May 2012 to 20 May 2012

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, 18 May 2012

If use Daigotsu Hotako ability to target Yoritomo Hiromi, can Hiromi still use his battle action?

I found another thread which says that the "will not" is stronger than Hiromi's trait but I couldn't find a thread refering to the "may not". -> viewtopic.php?f=59&t=97679&p=1289707&hilit=yoritomo+hiromi#p1289707

So, basically I would like to know if Hotako's ability is a negation.

Thank you.

The cards text:

Yoritomo Hiromi Force/Chi

8 5 HR/GC/PH

2 13 3 Keywords

Mantis Clan • Clan Champion • Thunder • Samurai • Naval • Loyal • Unique Text

Bowing, destruction, and movement from Battle actions Hiromi performs will not be negated or delayed. Battle: Target an enemy card without attachments, or an enemy unit, with a lower total Gold Cost than Hiromi's unit: Hiromi strikes with the power of Thunder. Destroy the target.

Daigotsu Hotako Force/Chi

7 4 HR/GC/PH

- 11 0 Keywords

Spider Clan • Shadowlands • Samurai • Naval • Paragon • Experienced 3 • Unique • Obsidian Champion Text

Enters play paying 2 less Gold if you are a Lion Clan player. After Hotako enters play: Lose 2 Honor. Fear Open: Target a Personality: He may not perform actions this turn.

Ben Higgins (rules official), 20 May 2012

If use Daigotsu Hotako ability to target Yoritomo Hiromi, can Hiromi still use his battle action?

I found another thread which says that the "will not" is stronger than Hiromi's trait but I couldn't find a thread refering to the "may not". -> viewtopic.php?f=59&t=97679&p=1289707&hilit=yoritomo+hiromi#p1289707

So, basically I would like to know if Hotako's ability is a negation.

Thank you.

The cards text:

As is described here, "May not" is used to prevent choices, such as the choice to announce the use of Hitomi's action in this specific case.

Since you may not even announce the action since he may not perform it (and is the only possible Performer), then Hiromi's trait doesn't kick in to keep the action's effects from being negated.

Short answer, yes Hotaku trumps Hiromi.

On: Daigotsu Hotako, Daigotsu Hotako, Yoritomo Hiromi