Unofficial Rulebook Discussion #4 (Aug 11 - Aug 14) -- Ulaire Otsea

[Tbiesty]

This discussion and ruling is part of the series of discussions and rulings for an "Unofficial Rulebook" as described here.

This discussion will be open from Aug 11, 2010 - Aug 14, 2010.
The outcome of this discussion and ruling will be added to the "Unofficial Rulebook".

Discussion #4:

Which of the following clarifies the game text of Ulaire Otsea, Black-Mantled Wraith correctly?    (previous discussion)

Option 1: (initially favored ruling)
Regroup: If you have initiative, discard Ulaire Otsea to make the Free Peoples player choose to either exert a Ring-bound companion twice or return an unbound companion to his or her hand.
[Free People's player chooses]

Option 2:
Regroup: If you have initiative, discard Ulaire Otsea to either return an unbound companion to Free Peoples player's hand or make the Free Peoples player exert a Ring-bound companion twice.
[Shadow player chooses]

[MuadDib85]

I don't think anyone has a problem with hrcho's & ES's answer to my original question regarding this card.

Option 1.

[MR. Lurtzy]

I've read this card several times now, and I still fail to see how you could not understand what it means.

[MuadDib85]

Did you read my original question?

That explains why I thought the shadow player might be able to choose.

Either way this card definately doesn't need a vote. I am (as far as I know) the only one who has ever questioned it.

[ket_the_jet]

My interpretation is that the Free Peoples' player makes the decision. I would cite Desperate Defense of the Ring as a precedent.
-wtk

[MuadDib85]

That was my argument. DDOTR has 'choose', Black-Mantled Wraith does not.

Let's face it, Otsea would be better if the shadow player could choose..

[ket_the_jet]

I think "Each time" as opposed to the phase action necessitates the nomenclature difference.
-wtk

[Witchkingx5]

Option 1.

I always played this card like that and couldn't find any problems. Oh, and btw, this card is an Uncommon, so I don't think it was made for beeing able to return a comp to hand in regroup...

[MuadDib85]

Oh, and btw, this card is an Uncommon, so I don't think it was made for beeing able to return a comp to hand in regroup...

[chompers]

Option 1 ... IMO if the shadow player had the choice the card would say ...

If you have initiative, discard Ulaire Otsea to exert a Ring Bound companion twice or return an unbound companion to owner's hand ... or similar.

[Elessar's Socks]

Option 1, classified as a clarification.

[putridbreath]

Option 1

[mardukra]

#1

[hrcho]

There is no doubt about it.

If you have initiative, discard Ulaire Otsea to make the Free Peoples player exert a Ring-bound companion twice or return an unbound companion to his or her hand

Now pay attention the last part of the sentence: ...his or her hand.... Just because it was worded the way it is, it implies it is directly connected to the ...to make the Free Peoples player... part.

Imagine if the text of Otsea was a bit switched, like this:

If you have initiative, discard Ulaire Otsea to return an unbound companion to his or her hand or make the Free Peoples player exert a Ring-bound companion.

I believe you can all see that it is wrong. It should either say: ... to make the Free Peoples player return an unbound companion to his or her hand... or ...to return an unbound companion to Free Peoples players hand...

I hope you will understand what I mean. It's not Hobbit Swordplay, but Decipher Wordplay

[ket_the_jet]

I hope you will understand what I mean. It's not Hobbit Swordplay, but Decipher Wordplay

because that was pithy.
-wtk