Again a really fast answer from FFG, thx to Mr. Stone! Answer (in my own words, since I read somewhere that FFG doesn't like direct quotations): No, Guardian Pillar as a character doesn't contain the usual features of a character card. The icons and skill are gained, not printed. (Subtype+cost remains.)

Thanks for getting an official answer!

Where did you read that FFG doesn't like direct quotations? Quoting the original answers to rules questions make a lot of sense. It's too easy to omit an important detail otherwise, leading to more confusion. At least in the context of rules questions I don't see why a quote would be discouraged. It's basically nothing but a preview of a new FAQ entry.

I read it here . I also think direct quotations would be better for us players because of the points you stated. But perhaps FFG doesn't want to create too much situations where a designer's decision has to be revised later on in the next FAQ, so I'll just adhere to that.

I think maybe that post was revealing too much about designers preferences rather than actual rulings.

Rephrasing rulings seems like a really terrible idea in general.

Yeah, I just decided to completely ignore the warning as it was nonsensical in every possible way and I had not violated any rules posted on this forum nor in the agreement when I joined the forum a couple years ago. I suspect the problem was the quote I gave was not in full context and someone got their undies in a bind over it because it gave the reasoning behind a ruling rather than just the ruling. You shouldn't let someone bully you into conforming to how they think you should act when you haven't done anything wrong. Until such a time as that is an official policy I'm going to carry on the way everyone else has since I've been a member and a lurker on these here forums.

HilariousPete said:

I'd like to add that moderators don't necessarily represent FFG's official opinion; on many forums they aren't even connected with the company. Instead they are more like dedicated fans and can thus be a bit overzealous.

The context is also important: In the thread you've linked, Damon basically stated he hadn't made a final decision, yet. So, it's understandable he didn't want something he said to be stated as a 'fact', particularly if quoted without the complete context.

Rule reversals are usually bad for a game, so, in a case where a ruling is 'temporary', as in: 'I need to carefully think about the implications of ruling it one way or another, but this is how I'd judge it, right now', not posting it right away might be prudent.

jhaelen said:

I did overlook that. Good, then I can quote "safe" rulings directly. Thx for clarifications from all of you. Here is my conversation about the Guardian Pillar + Binding question:

Q: When Guardian Pillar is committed to a story as a character, can effects like Binding or Obscure Linguist remove its icons? (I mean, do the icons actually count as its printed character icons?)

A: No, Guardian Pillar as a character is a "virtual" card, meaning it contains no printed characteristics associated exclusively with a character card. It maintains its subtypes and cost, but skill and icons are not printed but gained. Anything that refers to printed cannot target or otherwise effect those gained characteristics positively or negatively.

Ah, excellent answer! Thanks!

And now that we can see the complete answer we are also provided with an explanation of a 'new', general concept, that of a 'virtual' card which can be useful in explaining similar cards!