"Opposing Character" and Arrogant Contender

By Rostro2, in 2. AGoT Rules Discussion

Hi All,

let me start by saying the strategy in AGOT is fantastic. Been loving this game for about 9 months. have a core group of us playing 6-10 people who melee almost once a week.

Have been using the erratas as a source of rule clarification and theses forums. I have found many clarifications in these forums, thanks! :)

For the first time... a vague card text is haunting us and making us play with uncertainty. The Arrogant Contender and 'Opposing Character and claiming power'. I do believe that what the card is intended to mean is to claim one power for each 'participating' opposing character (if AC attacked alone and won). However, it does not say that. So there is a rift in our group for the first time since playing for months.

Half of us say, it means participating defending characters,

the other half say that is not what the card says. it says Opposing and if it meant Participating it would say participating.

The only reference I have seen is Ktom saying here " 'Opposing character' always refers to the characters on the other side during a challenge. It is based on challenge participation, not on what is in play"

http://www.livingcardgame.org/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=18&efcid=4&efidt=611000&efpag=0

I agree with this... however the gang says, show me in the errata or show me the logic in the errata/rule set. The more I search the rules/errata and the forums, the more I logically agree with if it meant participating, it would say participating like other cards do. Help! :)

If anyone could point to a place in the rule set/erratas that logically clarifies this, we would be thankful.

It means participating defending characters. Opposing is just easier to say. So its all characters that are defending while this guy is attacking.

Thank you for your response Staton, I agree. Others in our play group say, 'show me in the ruleset or errata'.

I have looked, and the more I look, the more I logically side with if it meant participating, it would say participating.

Think of it this way:

An unopposed challenge is one where you have 0 defending strength or no participating defending characters.

You technically are opposing a challenge when the challenge is NOT unopposed . So, participating defending characters are opposing the challenge.

Therefore, perhaps a comparison with unopposed vs opposed would help you explain it to your friends.

There is nothing in the rules or FAQ or anywhere that specifically says "Hey this is what opposing means." My counter argument would be "if it meant all of my opponent's characters, why didn't it just say claim a power for each character the losing opponent controls?" We can't go on what the card DOESN'T say, but what it does. We know from past cards that opposing means characters that are participating on the opposite side of the challenge. If you really want to get an official answer click the "contact" link at the bottom of the page and email in the question to FFG directly.

Thank you Bomb & Staton,

Bomb: yes, that is good logic.

Staton, thanks, ok submitted a rules query :) .

I say, these forums are polite and helpful :) .