Paying the cost with no effect...

[Kralik]

On Elven Sword and Rohirrim Guard... can you use these cards to discard cards from hand even if the companion is not skirmishing?

On The Binding Ring... can you add 2 burdens to play a ring even if there are none in your draw deck? And, if you did, would you shuffle after "looking" for a ring?

[GloinTheDark]

Yeah, Pretty sure!  I always used to use Smeagol, Poor Creature with So Fair, So Desperate.  Even if Smeagol wasn't in a skirmish you could discard cards to lose initiative on purpose.  If Pippin is the character fighting a skirmish, you use Smeagol's ability to make himself stronger by discarding cards, to lose intiative.  Keep in mind Smeagol only gets the strength bonus during Pippin's skirmish.  Then play So Fair, So Desperate.

In your case you would use elven sword in much the same way, but probably for Glimpse of Fate.
I would assume Rohirrim Guard would work the same way, you would just exert 0 minions he is skirmishing.

I think the Binding Ring would work also, but I'm not sure, because you could search your deck knowing that there is no ring and thus force yourself to have to re-shuffle it.

[Elessar's Socks]

I think the part about having to play a card only runs into trouble if it's from your hand or your discard pile (in which case the card must be there before performing the action). Since you're searching your draw deck, seems like it's okay. Not sure, but I think your opponent might be able to get a free look at your draw deck, to confirm it.

[Gil-Estel]

I always thought you could allways decide 'not to find' a certain card.

[Elessar's Socks]

Oh, good call. Looked up the "draw deck" entry this time:

Some cards allow you to play a card directly from your draw deck. You must still pay any costs and meet requirements necessary for playing that card. When you finish looking through it, reshuffle it and give the player to your right the opportunity to cut it. There is no penalty if you don't find (or choose not to play) a card you are looking for in your draw deck.

Nothing about your opponent having to confirm it.

[daisukeman]

So that this mean, anyone can always shuffle his/her draw deck in site 5 (The Bridge of Khazad-dum) no matter what? (say, to bump the cards I may have put in the bottom of the draw deck) ....?

[sickofpalantirs]

yeah, but his opponent could cut it.  I use to arrange my decks until we discovered the cutting rule.

[FM]

yeah, but his opponent could cut it.  I use to arrange my decks until we discovered the cutting rule.

You DO know that even WITHOUT a cutting rule that constitutes cheating, right?