I have a question regarding the Chivalric Knight. Does the Chivlaric Knight lose a life if he helps someone in battle and the battle is lost?

Nope. He does not.

Cruan

A no answer without explanation begs another question: Why not? Seems to me that logically he would because he's fighting the battle with the other character, isn't he?

dmnemaine said:

The Chivalric Knight does not lose a life if the character he aids is defeated in battle. Why? Because the text on the Chivalric Knight's special ability does not specify any loss of life if the other character is defeated in battle. Logic has nothing to do with it!

Ell.

That's the whole reason I'm asking the question. The special ability should have specified this one way or the other because the rules are that if you lose a battle, you lose a life. The Chivalrous Knight is aiding in battle. That means he's fighting the batlle too, doesn't it? Why should he not face the consequences of losing? And logic does have everything to do with it when there's an ambiguity like this.

You dont use logic in this game, either houserule it or play by the rules:)

Chivalric Knight isnt participating in battle, hes only using his special ability.

No logic helps you fight on two warhorses. Aint that great?

dmnemaine said:

There is no ambiguity. The character he is aiding is the one fighting the battle, so if the other character is defeated he loses a life not the Chivalric Knight. There is no need for additional text on the Chivalric Knight. Think of it like the other character using a Weapon that grants him a reward when defeating a creature or character in battle. Talisman is a fantasy game not a logical real world game!

Ell.

It's the same as the Mercenary or any other follower doesn't die if they aid you in a battle you lost.

1) Can a character avoid the battle with Chivalric Knight by not adding any Weapon to his strengh? Than his strength will be lover. Does the use of Objects/Followers in Battle or Psychic Combat is optional?
2) If Chivalric Knight declares a Battle (his Strength is less or the same as opponent) can he after the attack begin cast a Psionic Blast to add his starting Craft to Strength? The same as FAQ cleared with Knight and Druid : "Once the Knight declares that he is attacking the character, changing alignment to good has no effect on the attack"

1) Can a character avoid the battle with Chivalric Knight by not adding any Weapon to his strengh? Than his strength will be lover. Does the use of Objects/Followers in Battle or Psychic Combat is optional?

2) If Chivalric Knight declares a Battle (his Strength is less or the same as opponent) can he after the attack begin cast a Psionic Blast to add his starting Craft to Strength? The same as FAQ cleared with Knight and Druid : "Once the Knight declares that he is attacking the character, changing alignment to good has no effect on the attack"

I believe Strength considers objects and followers (anything that adds a bonus outside of battle). If the Chivalric Knight has 3 Strength and the Magic Belt (+1 Strength), while his opponent has 3 Strength and the Sword (+1 Strength in battle), then the Chivalric Knight would not be able to battle him. (4 Strength total vs. 3 Strength total outside of battle).

After all, the Strength must be compared prior to engaging in battle, so weapons wouldn't count, but other objects and followers should count, I would assume.

I believe Strength considers objects and followers (anything that adds a bonus outside of battle). If the Chivalric Knight has 3 Strength and the Magic Belt (+1 Strength), while his opponent has 3 Strength and the Sword (+1 Strength in battle), then the Chivalric Knight would not be able to battle him. (4 Strength total vs. 3 Strength total outside of battle).

After all, the Strength must be compared prior to engaging in battle, so weapons wouldn't count, but other objects and followers should count, I would assume.

I think this looks logical but last time when I asked about adding character's Strength instead of Craft in this topic:

http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/60810-exorcists-blade-psionic-wand

the answer was that everything is counted. It is, however, a small discrepancy of great importance in the case of Chivalric Knight.

Well, that's because the Exorcist Blade is used in battle, so both permanent and battle-only bonuses would count. The Chivalric Knight's comparison is made before battle is begun, so only permanent bonuses are counted.

Permanent bonuses (e.g. Magic Belt, extra Strength Counters) are always a "part" of your character until something takes them away.

When it comes to make a choice or to clarify an unclear situation, I suggest you always check if what you know, or think you know, is exactly what is written in the Rules.

What's Strength?

A character’s Strength at any time is the character’s Strength value, plus Strength counters, plus any Strength gained from
Followers, Magic Objects, and Objects that may be used at that time.

What is used in Talisman?

When a character implements the ability of a card’s text box, he is considered to be using the card. Using cards is optional,
and a character may always choose when to use a card he has.

What adds to Strength only during battle cannot be considered when comparing Strength outside combat, so Weapons, abilities, Spells and all effects that add to Strength during battle are not considered when comparing the Chivalric's Knight Strength with the opponent's.

There's some kind of problem with Objects like the Magic Belt which add to Strength. You may choose not to use a Magic Belt if you want your Strength to be lowered, and it should be obvious that once you decided not to use it the decision should be valid for at least the entire turn. On the contrary, the rules say a character may always choose to use or not to use cards. I'd prefer there was a timing for all these effects, as well as for all "at any time" effects, which obviously cannot be played with such freedom without causing continuos headaches (ditching, alchemising Objects, putting Objects into Bag of Holding, etc...).

I know the rules say every card's text box is optional. But, I thought that was incomplete. I thought abilities with "may" are optional, and others are mandatory.

Otherwise, that would mean the Hag and Poltergeist are optional too. We can't say they are optional because they are "bad," since that's subjective, or they have "must," because the "must" part only applies to taking those two cards in that sentence.

My interpretation...

I know the rules say every card's text box is optional. But, I thought that was incomplete. I thought abilities with "may" are optional, and others are mandatory.

I think you got the point. The rules are incomplete. As written, they allow you to decide what to use at any time, but I'm sure nobody feels that's the right way to go.

One card that made me think a lot about "Having and Using Cards" is the Gremlin (City Expansion). If you had to roll on every "always on" Object every turn, it would be a nightmare and the Follower will also leave you very soon if you have many Objects to roll for.

Let's hope to have an amendment on this as well.