L. Scott Johnson#
Dark Sovereigns and Ancient Hearts
----------------------------------
Includes Rulings, Errata, Clarifications and Statements from: Rules Team
Rulings Through: 11/13/96
and
Answers from Jon Wilkie Through: 11/30/96
--------------------------------------------------
New Terminology
'Before Combat Begins' actually means 'As Combat is Entered'. [RTR]
Vampires
A vampire who gets a bleed bonus if your prey controls a vampire of a certain
clan (or other sect) should get her bleed bonus if the Methuselah she
bleeds controls a vampire of that clan (or sect). [RTR 960530]
Non-Camarilla vampires.
Cannot be princes, although they can become primogen members. If a
non-Camarilla begins with votes and later gains a title, he loses the
votes he started with, just as if he had lost a title. [RTR]
Cannot call Praxis Seizures, Justicar Retribution, Command of the Harpies,
Masquerade Enforcement, nor a vote to burn Elysium: the Arboretum. [RTR]
Cannot call Camarilla Exemplary. [TOM 951227]
Cannot call a vote to burn Masquerade Enforcement. [TOM 960206]
Can call any votes not listed above. [TOM 960102]
Cannot be chosen as an Archon or Camarilla Exemplary. [RTR]
Suffer the effects of blocking an Archon or Camarilla Exemplary. [RTR]
Assamites -
Cannot commit diablerie because of card text. If an Assamite changes clans,
he still cannot commit diablerie. An assamite without such text would
be able to Diablerize. [TOM 960618]
Inner Circle members
Don't qualify for Prince/Justicar-only cards. [RTR]
Are titled (and would lose their title if they gain another). [TOM 951215]
Derive their votes from their titles (and would lose the votes with the
title), but the +2 bleed is independent of the title. [TOM 951217]
Cannot be targetted by the Blood Hunt action card. (errata) [RTR]
Equipment which are Unique Locations
# Are treated as both equipment and locations, and can be targetted by cards
# that target either. [TOM 951209]
Do not count as equipment while they are in play. [RTR]
May be put on any ready minion if moved in an ambiguous fashion (by Disputed
Territory, e.g.). If the new controller has no minions, the locquipment is
burned. [RTR] (Note: currently all moves are ambiguous - TOM).
If the equipping minion cannot pay for the locquipment, the locquipment is
simply burned with no effect. (Only applies to changes in the ability to
pay - such as paying for an action modifier or pulling locquipment during
a Vast Wealth action. The standard equip attempt cannot be made by a
vampire who cannot afford the equipment.) [TOM 951215]
Allies/Retainers
There is no limit to an Ally's life (if some effect gives an Ally more life
than it started with, the excess does not drain off). [TOM 960604]
Titles
Blood capacity gained by gaining a title will be lost if the title is
lost. [TOM 960210]
============================================================================
CARD-SPECIFIC RULINGS
Acquired Ventrue Assets [DS] - Master (Gio) (2):
Can be used during any master phase, not just its controller's. [RTR]
Akhentanen, The Sun Pharoh (Mummy) - Ally (4):
The (D) action to burn a Follower of Set should say "burn Akhentanen to
burn a Follower of Set" (errata). [TOM 960615]
Alexandra [DS] - Vampire (Tor) (11):
Can use her untap ability at any point during the minion phase, including
during a poilitical action. [TOM 960214]
Anathema [DS] - Political Action - Prince/Justicar:
Doesn't kick in if the target vampire is reduced to zero blood during combat
due to paying costs - it only kicks in as the result of combat effects.
[SFC 960917] [RTR 961113]
Archon [DS] - Political Action - Prince/Justicar:
Cannot choose a non-Camarilla vampire to be the Archon. [RTR]
Bang Nakh [AH] - Equipment Melee Weapon (2):
Strikes with Bang Nakh are not hand strikes. [TOM 960630]
Banishment [DS] - Political Action:
delete "from the controlling Methuselah's active region" :T01:
A banished vampire will return to play when it again has blood >= capacity
on it at the end of its Methuselah's influence phase. [TOM 951209]
Disciplines on the vampire will count towards his capacity. [TOM 951209]
Except for cards played on the vampire, all effects are forgotten (e.g.,
acquired/lost titles, Deevolution, Blood Bond, etc.) [TOM 951209]
All minion cards on the vampire become uncontrolled as well, and are immune
to contesting or affects like Arson or Cryptic Mission. These cards come
back into play when the vampire does. [RTR]
All master cards on the vampire are still controlled and could be contested.
[RTR]
A Banished vampire remembers only two things: how much blood he has and what
cards are played on him. Other effects are ended. [RTR]
Note that ""for the rest of the game" effects pointing at the Banished
vampire (from some other source) will resume if/when the vampire comes
back into play (e.g., Blood Bond). [TOM 960210]
Passive effects remain in effect (Disciplines, e.g.) while active effects
cannot be used (Blood Doll, e.g.) [RTR]
Blood to Water [AH] - Combat (th):
The "otherwise" refers to the opposing minion *being* an Ally. Blood to
Water won't burn vampires. [TOM 960607]
Can't be used at long range. [RTR 960708]
Can't be played until range is set. [RTR 961113] !NEW!
Blythe Candelaria [DS] - Vampire (Tre) (3):
Is mis-printed. Should have inferior, not superior, Auspex. [TOM 951208]
Bureaucratic Overload [DS] - Master:
Only vampires must burn an extra blood to attempt political actions. :A01:
Burning Wrath [DS] - Combat (po) (3):
Only the added damage is aggravated, despite the comma. [TOM 961214]
Camarilla Exemplary [DS] - Political Action:
Cannot choose a non-Camarilla vampire to be the Camarilla Exemplary. [RTR]
Clan Loyalty [DS] - Action Modifier (1):
Modifies only the acting minion, not the action, and would not carry over
through a Mask of a Thousand Faces modifier. [TOM 951214]
Ignore the word "other"; the vampire currently attempting to block the action
is also not allowed to attempt to block the acting vampire this turn.
[RTR 960530]
Command of the Harpies [DS] - Political Action:
Cannot be called by non-Camarilla vampires. [RTR]
Corpse Minion [DS] - Retainer (Tre) (1):
May be used any number of times during a single action. [TOM 960109]
Darius Styx [DS] - Vampire (Rav) (9):
If Darius picks a retainer which requires a Discipline to employ, treat it as
if it were employed with the basic version of the Discipline. [RTR] :R01:
Darius' ability cannot be used to pull a card from his controller's hand.
(Self-directing (D) actions is not allowed by default) [TOM 960302]
Depravity [AH] - Master (1):
The +1 hand damage is always in effect. [RTR 961113] !NEW!
Donal O'Connor [DS] - Vampire (Bru) (8):
An empty blocking vampire may still block (and will simply try and fail to
burn a blood). [TOM 951215]
The blocking vampire pays 'as combat is entered'. [RTR]
The blocking vampire burns 1 blood immediately upon successfully blocking
Donal, regardless of whether combat begins. [RTR 960530]
Dreams of the Sphinx [AH] - Master (1):
Increases hand size only until the end of the current turn. [RTR 960708]
Elder Impersonation [AH] - Action Modifier (ob):
The failed blocker is not untapped, but rather "not tapped" - if the blocker
was tapped originally, he will remain tapped (errata). [RTR 960708]
Elysium: the Arboretum [DS] - Master: Unique Location:
The vote to burn the Elysium cannot be called by non-Camarilla vampires. [RTR]
Fata Morgana [DS] - Action Modifier (ch) (1):
The restriction against playing modifiers to further increase bleed only
applies if you use its superior ability. [RTR]
Force of Will [DS] - Action (fo) (1):
#Will tap the acting vampire again, as it takes the bleed action. [TOM 951209]
#The Bleed action is a separate action from the untap action. Untapping
# is an undirected action. Any action modifiers/reaction cards will not
# hold over to the Bleed action. [RTR]
#The Bleed action is mandatory, and must be the next action. [TOM 951217]
#The Bleed action must be a cardless bleed. Action cards that allow bleeds
# (such as Computer Hacking) are not usable. [TOM 951217]
Ignore the "untap this acting vampire" on Force of Will. [RTR 960530]
Forest of Shadows [DS] - Master: Unique Location (Mal) (3):
May be used anytime it is untapped, even if it has been used previously
during the same action. [TOM 960109]
Goodnight, Sweet Prince [DS] - Master (Rav):
You may kiss your own Crypt goodnight. [TOM 960419]
Heidelburg Castle, Germany [DS] - Master: Unique Location (2):
May not be used to move equipment to or from a vampire in combat. [RTR]
May not be tapped "in response" to any instant effect (because all effects
in VtES are instantaneous except for actions and certain combat effects).
May not be tapped "during" paying some cost -must be tapped before or
after (for the same reason.) [SFC 960830]
Horrid Reality [DS] - Combat (ch) (2):
Only pulls weapons out of the library, not simply equipment. (errata) [RTR]
If no weapon can be found, the two blood is simply burned. [TOM 951212]
If the weapon gained is not in play (burned by Destroy Equipment, e.g.) by
the end of combat, do not burn it (or shuffle it into your library, if
superior). [TOM 951212]
Incriminating Videotape [DS] - Equipment:
If the tape is stolen, then the chosen minion is unable to block the new
possessor of the tape (and can now block whoever used to have it). If
the tape is removed from play, its effect ends. [TOM 960114]
Inverary, Scotland [DS] - Equipment (1):
The blood that a minion may place on this card is placed as an undirected
action, at zero stealth. [TOM 951215]
Increases the vampire's bleed at all times, and therefore will count during
Justicar Retribution, etc. [TOM 960423]
Jar the Soul [DS] - Action (ne):
Its effect doesn't damage vampires, an empty vampire will simply attempt
to burn blood and fail. [TOM 951212]
If an Ally is targetted, it will only be tapped - it will not lose a blood
even if the superior version is used. :A01:
Javier Montoya [DS] - :
Should say "blood", not "pool". [RTR]
Justicar Retribution [DS] - Political Action:
Cannot be called by non-Camarilla vampires. [RTR]
Does not count a +bleed that isn't 'active' (Laptop, e.g.) [TOM 960109]
Kherebutu [AH] - Ally (5):
Will be ignored completely if he is returned to an empty library - he
cannot be drawn out by any means. [SFC 960917]
Kindred Coercion [DS] - Reaction (do) (X):
Despite the name of the card, the inferior may cancel the votes of Allies
(as well as vampires) younger than the acting vampire/minion. The superior
version may change the votes of Allies (as well as vampires) younger than
the acting vampire/minion. [TOM 960205]
Leandro [DS] - Vampire (Mal) (11):
The victim Methuslah decides (during her untap) whether to lose a pool
or all transfers. [TOM 951208]
The inferior Dominate is not a typo [TOM 951208]
Legacy of Power [DS] - Reaction:
May be used if one of your vampires is in combat with an ally. In this case,
your vampire goes into torpor, and the ally is unaffected. [RTR]
Legendary Vampire [DS] - Master:
Only usable if the vampire was moved into your active region during your
last influence phase. [RTR]
Memories Fading Glimpse [AH] - Action (ob) (3):
Causes any cards on the target vampire to be burned. [SFC 960919]
Muaziz [AH] - Vampire (?):
Her ability does not apply to the Blood Hunt card, since it is not a vote,
and only votes are "called". [TOM 960604]
Phobia [AH] - Action (se):
Gains counters during your master phases only. [RTR 960708]
Is controlled by the Methuselah who played it. [RTR 961113] !NEW!
Possession [DS] - Action (ne):
Moves a vampire from your ash heap to your ready region. :T01:
Praxis Seizure: <City> [DS] - Political Action:
Cannot be called by non-Camarilla vampires. [RTR]
Purity of the Beast [AH] - ?:
Ignore the superior version text. [TOM 960604]
Ravnos Cache [DS] - Master: Unique Location (Rav) (2):
The blood on the cache may be used in place of pool or blood, as appropriate
to the cost of the equipment. [RTR]
Regina Giovanni [DS] - Vampire (Gio):
# Reduces only the pool cost of retainers and allies, as printed. [RTR]
Reduces the cost of any ally or retainer she employs or recruits by 1; both
blood and pool costs can be affected by this. [RTR]
Riposte [DS] - Combat (ce) (1):
The damage is dealt during strike resolution. [RTR]
The damage will still be applied during strike resolution, even though the
"Combat Ends" effect terminates combat prior to that point. The opposing
strike does not get the same benefit (and is still prevented somehow by
the "Combat Ends", even if it was done at first strike - long before the
damage from Riposte would resolve). [TOM]
Rutor's Hand [DS] - Action (th) (1):
To prevent the damage (superior version), treat it as if you are being struck
in combat (i.e., use combat cards, Flak Jackets, etc.) [TOM 951208]
Sacrificial Lamb [DS] - Action (ob) (3):
#If the superior version (a directed action) is used to burn a vampire in
# you own torpor region, no one may attempt to block. [TOM 951212]
The superior version may not be used on a vampire you control. (errata) [RTR]
Secure Haven [DS] - Master: Unique Location (1):
All Methuselahs (including the target vampire's controller) must pay one
extra pool when playing Master cards on the target minion. [TOM 951208]
Only (D) actions targetting the minion are restricted. The minion's
retainers and equipment are not immune from attack. [TOM 951208]
Secure Haven will be burned when the target minion is burned. [TOM 951215]
If it is contested, it will not be burned when the target (vampire) goes
to torpor, nor will it be burned if it becomes re-controlled while the
target vampire is still in torpor. [RTR]
Sensory Deprivation [DS] - Action:
Is a (D) action in both its normal and superior forms. [RTR]
Shackles of Enkindu [DS] - Equipment (Gan) (2):
"The shackled minion" refers to the minion the card is put upon (not the
Gangrel the card is put upon with the equip action). [TOM 951212]
An Ally does not suffer the "burn 2 blood" effect from being shackled. :A01:
Is controlled by the Methuselah who controls the vampire who used it;
changing the controller of the vampire changes who controls the Shackles.
(errata) [RTR 960708]
Shepherd's Innocence [DS] - Action (an) (1):
The basic version is a (D) action. [RTR]
Soul Stealing [DS] - Action Modifier{/Combat} (ne):
The normal version can only be used as an action modifier (card text).
Superior: As above, and this card can also be played as a combat card.
(errata) [RTR]
Cannot be used if a vampire is burned as a result of a political action,
such as Tradition Upheld. [RTR]
Spiridonas [AH] - Vampire (Tre) (9):
His special ability is treated as an action modifier. [SFC 960819]
Spiritual Protector [DS] - Retainer (Gio) (3):
Will not restrict the opposing minion if no block occured. [TOM 951208]
Does not restrict the ability of retainers to use equipment. [RTR]
Stanislava [DS] - Vampire (Gan) (11):
Minions only "oppose" each other during combat, so Stanislava's ability
only applies then. e.g., Mr. Winthrop is unaffected. [TOM 960401]
Stefano Giovanni [DS] - Vampire (Gio):
Can only burn 1 blood for 1 vote once during a political action. [RTR]
Strained Vitae Supply [DS] - Master:
The pool placed on this card comes from the Methuselahs pool. [TOM 951209]
Summon the Serpent [AH] - ?:
Ignore the superior version. [TOM 960604]
Temptation [AH] - Action (se) (1):
Gains counters during your master phases only. [RTR 960708]
Is controlled by the Methuselah who played it. [RTR 961113] !NEW!
Tereza Rostas [DS] - Vampire (Rav) (8):
Cannot steal the Edge if it is uncontrolled, and if the controller of the
Edge loses the edge between the time Tereza begins her action to steal
it and the time the action resolves, then the action fizzles. [TOM 951214]
Must pay 2 blood for the attempt. This cost is paid even if the action is
blocked or otherwise fails. [RTR]
Thoughts Betrayed [DS] - Combat (do) (2):
May (must) be played outside of combat (before combat begins). [TOM 951209]
The superior version only prevents cards from being played. Cards already
in play may be used as appropriate (errata). [RTR]
If the acting vampire uses Thoughts Betrayed, then the Blocking minion is
prohibited from doing so. [TOM 951214]
Is played "as combat is enetred" - will not prevent reaction cards from
being played. [RTR]
Tomb of Ramses III - Master Unique Location (3):
Puts blood onto the target vampire whether the transfer was to that same
vampire or another vampire. [TOM 960618]
Is not "put on a vampire in the uncontrolled region". It merely targets
such vampire. [SFC 960919]
Toreador Grand Ball [DS] - Master:
The same vampire can serve as the "second Toreador" for multiple Grand Balls.
[TOM 960528]
Treatment, The [DS] - Master (1):
The action to burn The Treatment is not directed, as printed. [RTR]
Does nothing to the target Prince if the Prince is in Torpor with zero
blood. [TOM 960423] :V01:
Trick of Danya, The [DS] - Action (ch):
The normal (only) version is a (D) action. [RTR]
Triole's Revenge [DS] - Action (Bru) (2):
The Ventrue is burned only if the hunt isn't blocked - even if the benefit
of the hunt is reduced to zero (a failed action). [TOM 951212]
If the victim is prevented from hunting, he may take no action. [RTR]
The victim Ventrue cannot take any other actions before hunting, but other
minions' actions can be taken before the hunt. [TOM 951214]
The action to burn is a (D) action (at the Meth. that played it). [RTR]
Veiled Sight [DS] - Reaction (ch) (2):
The strike option (steal blood) given by the superior version may be used
once, on any round of the combat. [RTR]
The strike is not ranged. [TOM 951215]
May be used even if the acting minion is at zero stealth. [TOM 960115]
Vial of Garou Blood [DS] - Equipment:
Using Vial of Garou Blood counts as your one source of additional strikes for
each round, so it may not be used if you've already acquired additional
strikes this round and prohibits you from playing any further additional
strike cards for the rest of the combat. [RTR]
Victoria [DS] - Vampire (Mal) (5):
Her special ability can only be used during her controller's master phase.
[SFC 960819]
Wasserschloss Anif, Austria [DS] - Master: Unique Location (Tre) (2):
Can only receive blood from one Tremere on any given turn. [RTR]
Zombie [DS] - Retainer:
Is a retainer, and the damage dealt exactly as for Wolf Companion.
============================================================================
Rules indented with "# " are commented out - they have been overturned and
are no longer part of the official Errata/Clarification/etc.
[TOM] Tom Wylie - WotC Net Representative
[SFC] Shawn F Carnes - WotC Net Representative
[JON] Jon Wilkie (Scalpel) - WotC Net Representative
[RTR] Ruling, Errata, Clarification, or Statement from Official WotC Rules Team
Ruling.
--
L. Scott Johnson (sjoh...@math.sc.edu) | It's not the same when I'm
http://www.math.sc.edu/cgi-bin/sjohnson/home | not in the holodeck
Graphics Specialist and V:tES Rulemonger. | - Riker