I've looked, but I apologize if this topic was already discussed previously.

When R5-P9 is equipped on Garven Dreis can I spend the focus token at the end of the Combat phase even if I do not have a shield to recover? There is some precedence for this based on the FAQ that a focus token CAN be used to modify dice even if no dice end up modified.

I ask because I am exploring combo's with Garven and Kyle (w/ Moldy Crow).

Thanks!

R5-P9: At the end of the Combat phase, you may spend 1 of your focus tokens to recover 1 shield (up to your shield value).

I don't think so. That "precedent" has been thrown around too much. The context for it is that you can spend it to modify a ROLL where there are not actually any eyeballs on the dice. Saw one tournament where the T.O. used that ruling to justify someone being able to spend token from garvin on turns where he was not involved in combat at all. Basically when PS 6 came up in the firing order, he was allowed to just pass it on those turns. That's taking the ruling out of context. At the VERY least this has no connection to that ruling at all whether or not this works.

Now this I could see as slightly more likely than that scenario. It comes down to if you have to be able to execute an effect to initiate the cost, which differs from game to game. Off the top of my head I can't think of an exact precedent for a similar effect, but I feel like there is. Reminds me of effects you cannot receive for circumventing the cost, such as the baron not getting a focus when he gets his stressed grabbed by Yorr. But that is the other way around from this (cost and effect instead of effect and cost).

bobbywhiskey, thanks for the response. That T.O. who let them just pass it would have made me SO upset. And though I can agree with you that the precedent of being able to spend the focus to modify zero dice doesn't directly relate to being able to spend it to regenerate zero shields, I remain unsure of a ruling on this.

This is an interesting question...

but I would say No, you cannot regenerate zero shields. Because the card specifically states "up to your max shield level". Indicating there is a time you can, and a time you cannot. That is how I interpret it.

I'm assuming this question is somehow linked to a Moldy Crow title? You pass a focus at the end of turn to an HWK which can then keep it?

I think the question is, can you spend X for no benefit? The FAQ says that you can when attacking or defending, but doesn't specify otherwise. Perhaps it's my roots as a Magic player speaking, but I'm inclined to say that you can do the same in similar situations, provided the appropriate conditions are met. Regarding the TO's decision above, there clearly needed to be some outlet for spending the focus token (rolling dice), regardless of what benefit it may or may not have provided. So, no appropriate conditions existed in that particular situation. With regard to OP's question, you're given an outlet for that focus at the end of the turn, so you should be able to spend it.

In game terms, it should look something like this: spend something, gain something. Can you spend something? Yes, you have a legitimate outlet for spending your focus. Then you check to see if you can legally gain that something. Can you gain something? No, the shields are already full. But at that point the focus has already been spent anyway.

This is an interesting question...

but I would say No, you cannot regenerate zero shields. Because the card specifically states "up to your max shield level". Indicating there is a time you can, and a time you cannot. That is how I interpret it.

I'm assuming this question is somehow linked to a Moldy Crow title? You pass a focus at the end of turn to an HWK which can then keep it?

You're technically regenerating zero shields with R2-D2 when you execute a green maneuver, aren't you? Assuming the ship is already full, of course.

I ask because I am exploring combo's with Garven and Kyle (w/ Moldy Crow).

Make sure to get Jake in there if you're allowed to fool around with spoiled cards.

Gibarian, I will definitely need to build something with Garven, Kyle (w/ Moldy Crow) and Jake once Rebel Aces has been released. For now though, here is the build I'm working on:

Kyle

- Blaster Turret

- Moldy Crow

- Recon Spec

Garven

- R5-P9

Biggs:

- R2-F2

Bandit Squadron

This build by no means alleviates the slap in the face that can be delivered by the green dice gods abandoning you, but should help to make Bigg's green dice more consistent.

I tend to favor the orc's interpretation. You have an opportunity to spend the token, if you spend it the game checks the number of shields you have and if it is less than your max you gain one shield, if you are already at max you spend the token but don't get an extra shield.