[Ruling] Starting Honor Dials

By Bayushi Shunsuke, in L5R LCG: Rules Discussion

Posted at

1a) Do players as part of Setup set their Honor Dials to a particular numeric value? If so, what is that value?
OR
1b) Do players start a game with their Honor Dials set to the "blank" space?

If 1b is true, my following question relates to that "blank" space.

2a) Is the "blank" value of an Honor Dial considered to be an invalid target for comparisons? I.E. The "Blank" value cannot be greater than, less than, or equal to any other value, even another "Blank" value. OR 2b) Is the "blank" value of an Honor Dial considered to be a valid target for comparisons?

If 2b is true, the following question:

3) How does a "blank" value interact with a numeric value? Is a "blank" value considered 0? Which values on the Honor Dial is "blank" greater than, less than, or equal to?

In Game Situation:
Player A and Player B begin a game. Players complete set up, and proceed to Dynasty Phase. Dynasty Phase passes, Draw Phase is about to begin. Player A plays "Trading on the Sand Road". The Draw Phase is skipped. The Conflict Phase begins. Player B declares a conflict with a character. Player A targets that character with Maze of Illusion, and resolves its effects. At this point in the game state, Player A has a value on their Honor Dial set by Maze of Illusion, while Player B has a value on their Honor Dial set by the set up of the game. Player A and Player B now have the opportunity to play Good Omen. Can they?

Posted at
Just now, Bayushi Shunsuke said:

1a) Do players as part of Setup set their Honor Dials to a particular numeric value? If so, what is that value?
OR
1b) Do players start a game with their Honor Dials set to the "blank" space?

If 1b is true, my following question relates to that "blank" space.

2a) Is the "blank" value of an Honor Dial considered to be an invalid target for comparisons? I.E. The "Blank" value cannot be greater than, less than, or equal to any other value, even another "Blank" value. OR 2b) Is the "blank" value of an Honor Dial considered to be a valid target for comparisons?

If 2b is true, the following question:

3) How does a "blank" value interact with a numeric value? Is a "blank" value considered 0? Which values on the Honor Dial is "blank" greater than, less than, or equal to?

In Game Situation:
Player A and Player B begin a game. Players complete set up, and proceed to Dynasty Phase. Dynasty Phase passes, Draw Phase is about to begin. Player A plays "Trading on the Sand Road". The Draw Phase is skipped. The Conflict Phase begins. Player B declares a conflict with a character. Player A targets that character with Maze of Illusion, and resolves its effects. At this point in the game state, Player A has a value on their Honor Dial set by Maze of Illusion, while Player B has a value on their Honor Dial set by the set up of the game. Player A and Player B now have the opportunity to play Good Omen. Can they?

When the game begins, neither player’s honor dial is set to a value that can be checked or interacted with by card effects. Until two or more players have their honor dials set to a value, card effects cannot compare between them.

Specifically:

- Before a player’s honor dial is set to a value, it cannot be referenced (by card abilities such as Web of Lies).

- Before a player’s honor dial is set to a value, even if an opponent’s is set (as by Maze of Illusion), it is neither higher than nor lower than the opponent’s, as a value cannot be compared to a non-value. Cards such as Good Omen or I Can Swim cannot be played if your honor dial (or that of your opponent) has not been set to a value yet.

- I t cannot be measured as “equal to” either. (eg. You cannot play Karmic Balance during round 1 dynasty phase.)

[Tyler Parrott: December 12, 2018]