Negan the Cold Blooded ruling
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With all the discussion about TWD Secret Lair, it seems like Negan, the Cold-Blooded is in desperate need of a ruling that hasn't been issued. How would a judge regulate secret selection of creatures? Also, why has a ruling not been issued? Is it because there is a similar ruling already established? Or is it just because Negan isn't likely to see popular competitive play very soon?
Accepted Answer
Three black-bordered Constructed legal cards - Stalking Leonin, Menacing Ogre, and Emissary of Grudges - already have players make secret choices. Two of them have an official rules note saying that there are several ways to make a secret choice, including writing the choice down out of sight of other players. (EDIT: As peteroupc notes, there is also the entire hidden agenda keyword, which is used on conspiracy cards.)
Some problems might arise writing a card name down when there are multiple creatures with the same name on the battlefield. However, if no game-state differences exist between the cards - say two identical Baneslayer Angels are controlled by the targeted player and both Negan's controller and that player choose "Baneslayer Angel" - they can be treated as the same in this instance and one can be sacrificed arbitrarily. If a difference exists, you can disambiguate by writing, for example, "Baneslayer Angel equipped with Sword of War and Peace".
Go to full postSome problems might arise writing a card name down when there are multiple creatures with the same name on the battlefield. However, if no game-state differences exist between the cards - say two identical Baneslayer Angels are controlled by the targeted player and both Negan's controller and that player choose "Baneslayer Angel" - they can be treated as the same in this instance and one can be sacrificed arbitrarily. If a difference exists, you can disambiguate by writing, for example, "Baneslayer Angel equipped with Sword of War and Peace".
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Three black-bordered Constructed legal cards - Stalking Leonin, Menacing Ogre, and Emissary of Grudges - already have players make secret choices. Two of them have an official rules note saying that there are several ways to make a secret choice, including writing the choice down out of sight of other players. (EDIT: As peteroupc notes, there is also the entire hidden agenda keyword, which is used on conspiracy cards.)
Some problems might arise writing a card name down when there are multiple creatures with the same name on the battlefield. However, if no game-state differences exist between the cards - say two identical Baneslayer Angels are controlled by the targeted player and both Negan's controller and that player choose "Baneslayer Angel" - they can be treated as the same in this instance and one can be sacrificed arbitrarily. If a difference exists, you can disambiguate by writing, for example, "Baneslayer Angel equipped with Sword of War and Peace".
Some problems might arise writing a card name down when there are multiple creatures with the same name on the battlefield. However, if no game-state differences exist between the cards - say two identical Baneslayer Angels are controlled by the targeted player and both Negan's controller and that player choose "Baneslayer Angel" - they can be treated as the same in this instance and one can be sacrificed arbitrarily. If a difference exists, you can disambiguate by writing, for example, "Baneslayer Angel equipped with Sword of War and Peace".
Psst, check the second page of Custom Card Contests & Games! Because of the daily contests, a lot of games fall down to there.
The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)
Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type
The greatest (fake) pro wrestling on the internet - Collaborative Create-A-Booster - My random creations (updated regularly)
Important Facts: Colorless is not a color, Wastes is not a land type, Changeling is not a creature type
Making a choice in secret is nothing new; for example, the hidden agenda ability requires a player to "secretly choose a card name" (C.R. 702.105; see also the rulings for conspiracy cards with hidden agenda, such as Assemble the Rank and Vile).