Cannot find anything in the rules or rulings for this, and it never came up negatively before, but this was just ruled against. Can a newly recruited ally use it's abilities? The rules state:
To recruit an ally from your hand, play the card and tap the acting minion. If the action is successful, the ally is placed in your uncontrolled region, even though it is controlled, to indicate that it cannot act this turn (and the cost, if any, is paid).
And the ruling I received was that the newly recruited ally can also not use it's abilities. Now the rules show that it cannot act, and a ruling I recall clarified that it cannot block (actions done on the turn it is recruited or Heaven's Gated) but why can it not use it's abilities? i.e. Vagabond Mystic, Underbridge Stray, et al.
> Robert wrote:
> Cannot find anything in the rules or rulings for this, and it never came up negatively before, but this was just ruled against. Can a newly recruited ally use it's abilities?
>
Yes (assuming there are no other restrictions on the ally).
Some guy who might be, uh, me provoked this answer back in 1998. [LSJ 19980717]
>
> LSJ wrote:
> The Ally is controlled (and thus a
> legal target for most effects), but is not ready while it is in the inactive
> region.
> ...
> The Ally is placed face-up in the inactive region when it is recruited,
> which can serve as a helpful reminder that the Ally is controlled.
> (Face-up cards in play are controlled, as a general rule. Face-down cards
> in play are not.)
>
> --
>
> Another slant on this is "Can my Rom Gypsies tap to give one of my
> Ravnos +1 stealth on the turn they are brought into play?"
>
> Or "Does the Ally I just brought out count for an Autarkis Persecution
> I call later on the same turn?"
>
> The answer to both is "Yes".
>
Well, I carry no conviction over here (Stockholm) even though I am the one who is usually asked for rulings (since I tend to keep up with them) in my neck of the woods. So I needed these answers posted, especially since I would've won their League game that night but for this. They also did not allow Spying Missions to be stacked (they burned and replaced) though I stated otherwise. And I'm going to play an EC here, sheesh!
Thanks Pascal. I believe that I should ask the Spying Mission question separately and officially for further clarity, so I'll do that now, though I should have immediately.
Yes he does! Hey, Hugh, when are you arriving? I heard that you're staying at the aforementioned punk ass's place. Cool house, I got drunk and spent the night there a few days ago.