{LSJ} Block timing issues

The following situation happened in a game. Player A is bleeding Player B for 1 Bleed at 0 Stealth. Player B declares a block at 0 Intercept. Player A plays a +1 Stealth Action Modifier. The situation now occurs that Player B wishes to have the block attempt fail, and Player C wishes to use Maris Streck's ability. I ruled that the declaration of a block failing is considered a valid response, and due to the standard timing rules (Acting, Blocking, Everyone Else), it's too late. Player C disagreed, feeling that declaration of block failing isn't a valid response, and that only if no generation of Stealth/Intercept balance (+ Intercept, - Stealth, etc), that a block fails. How does this work? Morgan Vening

[ quoted text not captured ] IANLSJ but; From 6.2.2.1 If one attempt to block fails, another can be made as often as the blocking Methuselah wishes. Once a Methuselah decides not to make any further attempts to block, that decision is final Having a block fails does not mean that they cannot try to block again, even with the same minion (unless restricted by card text, ala Elder Impersonation). As such, they can declare the block fails, and Player C can use Maris Streck's ability. Only if Player B says "No more blocks", or something to the effect of now declining further attempts to block can Player C no longer intercede. --> J grail_pbem "at" hotmail.com

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:50:27 -0800 (PST), J <gra...@hotmail.com> wrote: [ quoted text not captured ] On speaking with Player C further, he brought forth the following point, to emphasize his argument. Player A plays +1 Stealth Action Modifier. Player B plays +2 Intercept Reaction. Can Player B choose not to block after having played this card? Or is the block attempt an ongoing commitment? Can Player B choose another minion (or multiple other minions) to play +1 (or more) intercept on, choosing not to block? Are Intercept Reaction cards handled differently due to the block resolution concept to cards such as Telepathic Counter, or Wake? Morgan Vening

[ quoted text not captured ] Player C has it right.

Morgan Vening wrote: > Player A plays +1 Stealth Action Modifier. > > Player B plays +2 Intercept Reaction. > > Can Player B choose not to block after having played this card? Or is > the block attempt an ongoing commitment? The latter. The block attempt continues until it fails (you can't simply abandon it). See also rulings against Second Tradition + Deflection. (e.g., Second Trad, choose to fail, Deflection -- the "choose to fail" part is not valid). > Can Player B choose another minion (or multiple other minions) to play > +1 (or more) intercept on, choosing not to block? Of course not. > Are Intercept > Reaction cards handled differently due to the block resolution concept > to cards such as Telepathic Counter, or Wake? Um, they are restricted by the restriction against playing intercept only when it is needed, sure.

[ quoted text not captured ] You denied C from following the Sequencing rule 1.6.1.5: "Sequencing. If two or more players want to play a card or effect, the acting Methuselah plays first. At every stage, the acting player always has the opportunity to play the next card or effect. So after playing one effect, she may play another and another. Once she is finished, the opportunity passes to the defending Methuselah (in the cases of directed actions and combat), then to the rest of the Methuselahs in clockwise order from the acting Methuselah. Note that if any Methuselah uses a card or effect, the acting Methuselah again gets the opportunity to play the next effect." After the +1 stealth was played, it falls to B to play another card. They chose not to, so it then goes around to the other Methuselahs, which is where C is allowed to use Maris Streck's ability. "The block fails" is a valid response, but not in the context you are suggesting. The block fails because the reacting vampire cannot or will not produce more intercept than stealth, not because the reacting Methuselah decides they no longer want to block. Chris, Thrall of Arika

> >You denied C from following the Sequencing rule 1.6.1.5: > As Player C, I feel so cheated.... : ( Thanks everyone for getting back on this. Regards... Frogbear

[ quoted text not captured ] Methuselah B can say that her minion's block fails, but there are no circumstances where her words actually make the block fail. To be more accurate she should say that she won't be adding more intercept, not that the block fails.