post for 30 April 2003

Rules Question: The term "Play" in L5R

I remember this being an issue in the past, but after browsing through the Archive and the rulebook, I can't seem to track it down.

What *exactly* does the term "play" mean? Does it simply mean "bringing into play?" Do cards that have abilities printed on them that already in play considered "playing" the ability, or only using them?

"Play" can mean to put into play (for cards) or to use (for actions). In fact, it's Dave Williams' favorite generic term for "use in any way".

post for 29 April 2003

Now...someone once pointed out that the cap increases at the start of each turn, but honor gains are permanent, so those three +3s should still be there, and when the cap changes from 15 to 20 next turn, they will show up again (10 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 19, which is below 20). The ruling on In Time of War that everyone is confused about was made so that this does not happen. The In Time of War ruling says this: at the end of the turn, your Family Honor is set to a firm 15, not a "15 with the cap, but 19 behind the scenes".

And the loss in "honour behind the scenes" can't be TWT'd to your opponent to cause them an honour loss?

No.

Ring questions

Hoshi Tadao, his ability puts rings into play without meeting the normal requirements, is this considered to be without costs? or do I ignore the entering play requirement but still pay costs (honor loss)?

If I use his ability to put a dark ring into play do I still lose 5 honor?

I cannot think of any costs on any of the Rings. The Dark Rings cause honor losses, but these are not costs. They are effects of playing the Rings. Since Tadao plays Rings ("Once per turn, put an Elemental Ring into play from your hand."), the losses happen.

Since the ring is entering play it can trigger entering play effects correct? (introspection)

Correct.

I use Tadao to play a dark ring, I first react to it with introspection to get a winds truth. I can then as a second reaction use the winds truth I just retreived to redirect the honor loss correct?

Yes.

The rule book states elightenment victory is achieved when you put all 5 rings into play. Is it when you have 5 rings in play (ignoring dark rings) or is it specifically when you have *one* of each copy in play. (1air, 1fire, 1water, 1earth, 1void)

One of each element.

What is the exact timing on starting the game and House of the Tao putting a ring into play? 1. reveal strongholds 2. reveal sensei? 3. reveal winds? 4. Draw fate hand

1. Reveal Stronghold and Wind together. [GE p. 28] 2. House of Tao and Kyuden Hitomi card manipulation. [archive] 3. Choose Sensei from deck in secret. Reveal after all players have chosen Sensei. [GE p. 28] 4. Draw Fate hand.

Can I take reactions to the house of tao putting a ring in play at the beginning of the game? (introspection)

Yes.

Imperial Favor

Miya Hatori

"Political Limited: Bow Ratori and shuffle him into Dynasty Deck to take the imperial favor. Discard all cards attached to hatori. This is considered a lobbying attempt."

Can I use Hatori to take the imperial favor when I´m with less honor than someone on table?

Yes.

post for 28 April 2003

Jeff, it looks to me like Goshiu would give the personality a trait with >>an honor loss, not an action, nor would it link that >honor loss to any >>kind of action. Therefore Eiji shouldn't work >for the same reason I >>can't use him against corrupt gold - the >honor loss isn't part of an >>action.

If a card has an action that involves bowing as part of its cost or effect, >then once Goshiu no Shiryo is used on it, an honor loss originating >from that card will happen each time that action is used. That card is >therefore "a card which causes a non-variable Honor loss to its >controller when one of its actions is used."

This confuses me a bit. What happens when the card has no action that bows them- like, say, Doji Okakura, Hida Unari, or Hida Tenshu?

The original question only asked about cards that DO have, and I quote, "an ability that causes them to bow". That's all I considered in my answer.

If they don't have an action at all, can Eiji be used on them after they are targetted with Goshui?

No.

Touch of Death

You say you can't redirect a Touch of Death back to the caster's personality, as long as that personality is bowed? Where have you heard that?

I don't think I need to say anything more on the matter. Rusty's been humbled enough by other posters pointing out his error.