Rules for 23 October 2004

The Rules for Saturday, October 23, 2004

Rules for 18 October 2004 [RULES]

I'm begining to think I'm being ignored.

Well, I pretty much considered this issue closed after extensive discussion, but I'll do my best to explain this again.

I've asked three times in the last 2 weeks about the ruling for Iuchiban Sensei and Playing with Madness as it relates to the follwing entry in the accumulated rulings.

Reactions played in response to an action (e.g., Faith In My Clan, Kyuden Ikoma) must be played before the action produces any effects (e.g., Fear, a Ranged Attack) or has one of its effects modified (e.g., The Face of Fear, Arrows From the Woods). [JA, 8 December 2003, ZF, 10 December 2003]

Specifically What does it mean to "play a reaction in response to an action."?

Kyuden Ikoma and Faith In My Clan don't have any explicit instructions on - when - to play them. They just get played "in response to an action [happening]." If the Reaction is simply played in response to another Action, the timing for playing the Reaction is immediately after the action is first considered "successfully played / taken" - which is after all costs are paid, but before any effects resolve.

You can't normally run around playing Reactions to Actions getting "taken" or "played" when they haven't even been bought and paid for yet - though you can take Reactions to them targeting (Flee the Darkness) or being paid for (The Hiruma Dojo) during those steps.

It seems like the text of Iuchiban Sensei "Reaction: Once per turn, after a Bloodspeaker Personality performs a Maho action, straighten him." would qualify, as you have to have a maho action to react to, hense a "Reaction played in response to an action".

This ruling doesn't have anything to do with Playing With Madness / Iuchiban Sensei because Iuchiban Sensei has a Reaction with a much more restricted and specific trigger than Kyuden Ikoma or Faith in My Clan. The trigger isn't just "having a Maho action," or even "a Maho Action being Performed," but the Maho Action being performed - by a Bloodspeaker -. In the case of Playing With Madness and a non-Bloodspeaker, this trigger isn't met until much later in the Playing of the Action (during Resolution, rather than before it, like with Faith in My Clan).

The fundamental principle in common with both plays is that you must play a Reaction to a trigger at the first window of time it is Legal to take that Reaction, or forfeit the opportunity for good. In the case of Faith in My Clan, the first time it is Legal to play it is before Effect Resolution, if the case of Iuchiban Sensei w/ Non-bloodspeaker + Playing With Madness, the first time it is Legal to play is - during - Effect Resolution, when the caster is first both a Bloodspeaker AND Performing the Maho Action.

Honnor requirement and actions

Honor Requirements : Personalities' Honor Requirements need only be met during the Dynasty Phase. [JA, 27 September 2001]

Kolat Recruiter You are bound by all restrictions and requirements of the Personality, including minimum honor. [DW, email, 18 March 1999]

Relevant Text : Kolat Recruiter Limited: Target a Dynasty card in another player's Province. Turn that card face-up if it is face-down. If it is a Personality, you may bring that card into play, paying all costs. If it is a Holding or Region, the other player may immediately bring it into play without cost. In all cases, play restrictions must still be met. Lose 2 Honor.

Isn't that a little bit inconsistent ? I mean : where on the Kolat Recruiter is it specified that I must meet an extra restriction ?

Well, that would be "In all cases, play restrictions must still be met," apparently. It isn't up to me though. If you don't like one of Dave's rulings on the books, you need to mail Jeff directly. I can't

The point of the question : If I want to play Fire In the Hidden City, do I need to meet honor requirement.

No, nor do you need to meet them for A Wish Granted.

That should be everything for Saturday, October 23, 2004. If I missed your question, please repost it with the flag [RULES] as part of your Clear and Distinct subject line. I'll get back to you at the first opportunity.