Secret Sentinels and such alike

[mardukra]

Comprehensive Rules pg.17

spot
The word spot sets up a requirement for playing a card or using a special ability in conjunction with a noun such as, "To play, spot an Elf." This is equivalent to, "An Elf must be in play and active for you to play this card."
Cards in your dead pile are active during your turn, but they're not in play. You can't spot a card in your dead pile.
Normally, you don't have to spot all the cards in play that meet the requirement if you don't want to.
If a card says, "for each Elf you spot" and there are 2 Elves in play (and active), you may choose to spot 2 Elves, 1 Elf, or none.
However, if a card says, "you can spot," that means you don't have a choice and you have to spot anything and everything that meets the requirement.
"While you can spot The Balrog, skip the archery phase" means you can't make a choice (it either works or it doesn't).


If the card does NOT say, "you can spot," then you may spot none.

[Smeagollum]

ahum.. it's not about "you can spot" but about  "if" what makes it possible not to spot... still you'll have to ditch one condition for secret sentinels. Though this topic is not about "spotting". It's about that you can't play something for no effect while there is still a rquirement you can forfill, even it means a nagative effect on your own part.

[mardukra]

Well it sure seemed like you believed secret sentinels would discard 2 conditions no matter what if there was an orc out.  That IS a "spot" issue.  I didn't realize your real question was whether or not a player may play secret sentinels and such for no effect while a condition was out.  The only requirement for secret sentinels is to exert an elf. 

[Smeagollum]

Well it sure seemed like you believed secret sentinels would discard 2 conditions no matter what if there was an orc out.  That IS a "spot" issue.  I didn't realize your real question was whether or not a player may play secret sentinels and such for no effect while a condition was out.  The only requirement for secret sentinels is to exert an elf. 

No it's about that if you play it and you dont spot a shadow condition you still have to discard a condition and if there is a freeps condition on your side then you'll have to discard it. thats the issue. About the spotting part Ellesar convinced me.

[Tbiesty]

...if you play it and you dont spot a shadow condition you still have to discard a condition and if there is a freeps condition on your side then you'll have to discard it.

Correct, you must perform as much of the "effect" as possible.