Since this game's action windows and states are ever so clear I thought I'd get a clarification. Can the Orphan's ability be used AFTER it is chosen as claim? Is the action window that opens for saves restricted to saves only?

After you asign Orphan for claim and it is not saved he becomes moribund and only passive or Response: abilities can be played. Since his ability is Any Phase: he will be long gone before you could use it.

goshdarnstud said:

Technically, there is no "action window" that opens for saves. It is a "Save/Cancel Response opportunity" within an action window. And yes, it is restricted to saves (and cancels) only - which are always Response effects.

The timing, as well as the moribund rules, will never allow you to use the Orphan's ability "on the way out."

ktom said:

To make sure the implication here is totally clear... even if the Orphan's ability was a Response: you still could not use after he is killed but before he totally leaves play (ie while he is moribund) because the moribund rules do not allow a moribund character to leave play a second time.

schrecklich said:

Correct. Once he is moribund, you cannot legally pay the "discard Orphan of the Greenblood to...." cost.

If you really want, I could come up with a hypothetical Response ability that would allow you to use the Orphan's ability after he was chosen for military claim.