Planning Ahead reads 'Skip taxation phase...'. My opponents said they should also skip taxation phase because of this card. Don't tell me they were right... otherwise this plot seems terribly useless. My opinion is only me, who was using this plot would skip taxation only.
So, who's right?
There is only one Taxation phase that all players share (just like any other phase). So all players skip the one taxation phase.
Saturnine said:
There is only one Taxation phase that all players share (just like any other phase). So all players skip the one taxation phase.
....This is just embarrassing. This plot is only 3,0,1 and it allows all the players skip taxation phase... So what's the purpose to use this plot? I just don't see any point of it.
Correct. All players go through all phases together, so a single player cannot "skip" a phase while the others go through it.
Here's a fun thing for you if you get to skip the Taxation phase, but no one else does: Let's say your opponent is playing Targ. During the Taxation phase - that you skipped but he didn't - he decides to play Forever Burning and Flame-Kissed to kill your Wintertime Marauders. All perfectly legal, because he's using "Any Phase" effects and your character's haven't "left play" or anything during the phase that you (the player) skipped. Your character is about to die. Now, you have Risen from the Sea in your hand, which would save your Marauders from being killed in the Taxation phase -- but you can't play it because you skipped the phase.
See the problems here? This would actually be a much worse plot if you skipped the phase and your opponents didn't because you'd be a sitting duck, unable to Respond or take any action while all your cards were still "in play" for them to mess with.
As is, the plot isn't terrible, largely because you have more control over it. It's best in a round where your opponent must rebuild and you have a huge excess of gold, so that you can dominate in the following round. It is also a good plot for Lannister to play against an opponent's low-gold plot like Valar or Fear or Winter because it positions them so much better for the following round. Keep in mind that the plot's title is "Planning Ahead;" and it's effect is all about setting you up for the next round. Most people are so concentrated on the current round, that this plot seems awful.
Now, it isn't a particularly strong plot, either, but like anything that isn't particularly strong in general, it can be huge in the right place. You have to pick your moment (like those described above), in which case, it can be a spectacularly useful plot for letting you come back hard and strong (simply because you have resources) after a reset round from an opponent. But it is not a "throw away," "general use" plot.
ktom said:
Correct. All players go through all phases together, so a single player cannot "skip" a phase while the others go through it.
Here's a fun thing for you if you get to skip the Taxation phase, but no one else does: Let's say your opponent is playing Targ. During the Taxation phase - that you skipped but he didn't - he decides to play Forever Burning and Flame-Kissed to kill your Wintertime Marauders. All perfectly legal, because he's using "Any Phase" effects and your character's haven't "left play" or anything during the phase that you (the player) skipped. Your character is about to die. Now, you have Risen from the Sea in your hand, which would save your Marauders from being killed in the Taxation phase -- but you can't play it because you skipped the phase.
See the problems here? This would actually be a much worse plot if you skipped the phase and your opponents didn't because you'd be a sitting duck, unable to Respond or take any action while all your cards were still "in play" for them to mess with.
As is, the plot isn't terrible, largely because you have more control over it. It's best in a round where your opponent must rebuild and you have a huge excess of gold, so that you can dominate in the following round. It is also a good plot for Lannister to play against an opponent's low-gold plot like Valar or Fear or Winter because it positions them so much better for the following round. Keep in mind that the plot's title is "Planning Ahead;" and it's effect is all about setting you up for the next round. Most people are so concentrated on the current round, that this plot seems awful.
Now, it isn't a particularly strong plot, either, but like anything that isn't particularly strong in general, it can be huge in the right place. You have to pick your moment (like those described above), in which case, it can be a spectacularly useful plot for letting you come back hard and strong (simply because you have resources) after a reset round from an opponent. But it is not a "throw away," "general use" plot.
I admire your so professional knowledge of AGOT. This explanation is beyond perfect.