QQ, after reading the rules reference, I still don't get how to apply this rule.

When the game says to 'discard an asset you control' how do I apply the following:

Ownership and Control pg16 "A player controls the cards located in his or her out-of-play game areas (such as the hand, deck, discard pile)." Apologies, can't think of the specific card, but it has definitely come up in our short time adventuring.

Can I discard from my hand, search my deck, discard pile?

Gibby

That's probably the most confusing little bit of the rules; that section about control of decks and discard and so forth is simply to make certain there are never any cards on the table that don't have a controller, but since that part doesn't clarify further it can lead you to misinterpret the rules.

In essence, card effects only pertain to cards that are in play, unless otherwise specified. So if a card says "choose and discard a card from your hand", that specifically references an out of play area so you'd choose from your hand. But if an effect says to "discard an asset you control", without specifying an out of play area, it will automatically refer only to the cards in play (and not your deck, hand or discard pile).

This is due to the rules reference entry for "ability", which includes the following:

Card abilities only interact with other cards that are in play, unless the ability specifically references an interaction with cards in an out-of-play area.