This issue may need to be addressed in 8.1.3. I couldn't find a rule that resolves it.

I'm thinking specifically of most of Cervantes' support, and his built in ability, and how they interact with Driven by Ambition (the one where the art shows a boat driven by an ambitious pirate).

Driven by Ambition reads: "E Commit: Make a control check. Your next control check this turn is equal to that control check (no control check necessary)."

Sailor's Rest reads: "While this card is ready in your staging area, all control checks get +1. E Commit: If this attack deals damage, your next control check to play a card gets +1."

Cervantes' important ability reads: "R (5+): Before you make a control check to play a card, that check gets +1. Only playable while committed."

QUESTION 1: Let's assume Cervantes is committed (his ability is available).

I play an attack. During the Enhance step, I start prepping for my next form by using Driven by Ambition's ability. I make a check as part of the effect. I know I could potentially boost it with Cervantes, but let's assume I don't, and it's a 4. So now my next check this turn is equal to 4 (no control check necessary). Attack resolves.

I make no other control checks until I attempt to play my next form, a 4-diff attack, +1 progressive due to the previous attack, for a total of 5 diff. I know my check is a 4. Do I now get to play Cervantes' ability to potentially boost the check to a 5? I've been assuming "No" since I'm not actually making a check at this point. But 8.1.3 doesn't talk about checks being prematurely set to a given value, so I didn't want to assume for too long.

QUESTION 2: Let's assume Sailor's Rest is committed (no effect currently) and Cervantes is ready (his ability is not available, and we'll ignore it for this question).

I play an attack. During the Enhance step, I start prepping for my next form by using Driven by Ambition's ability. I make a check as part of the effect, and the result is a 4. So now my next check this turn is equal to 4 (no control check necessary).

Without making a control check, I play some ability that readies Sailor's Rest. OR my opponent plays an E that readies Rest. It doesn't really matter. Let's just assume that Sailor's Rest is readied before I play my next attack, and I'm not making any checks in the meantime. Attack resolves.

I now attempt to play my next form, a 4-diff attack, +1 progressive due to the previous attack, for a total of 5 diff. I know my check is a 4... but does it get +1 to a total of 5 since Sailor's Rest is now ready? Or has it already "been made" when Sailor's Rest was committed, so Sailor's Rest can't affect it now?

Thanks!

ARMed_PIrate said:

Yes, you can use Cervy's ability because it is before the control check is made. While you don't need to make a control check due to the number already being known, you still would still be at the same window where Cervy's ability applies.

ARMed_PIrate said:

It gets the +1.

Because Abitious says "Your next control check" - so it's recognizing that a check needs to be made, and it sets the number for that check. So while that number has been set for the check, sailor's rest gives it an additional +1.

This is great...I only need one answer for both questions. Efficient =D

1 and 2. Actually, no, you can use Cervy's ability. The value for the next check is already set, but when you attempt to play the card, the window for "before control check is made" is still open. That's why hack cards work with the new Nightmare Geese and 125 Rapids of Rage, etc. Doesn't close the window, just changes how the check is made/value determined.

This also applies to Sailor's Rest - it's going to give the check +1, since the check isn't "made" until you attempt to play the card.

Ed: Dangit, Brian =/

These are great, simple answers. They surprise me a bit, but they make me happy.

Just note that something to this effect should probably be in the AR, probably somewhere around 2.11.2. (Found a better place than 8.1.3 (: )

It should probably say something like, "If a card instructs a player to use a specific value instead for a control check, that value may be further modified by card effects as if a control check was made at the normal time."

Thanks again!

ARMed_PIrate said:

Noted.