Elven Sword

[Terwin]

This came up in a game I was playing.

Faramir was assigned to skirmish. During this skirmish I used elven sword (on haldir) to discard two cards from hand to no effect.

My opponent insisted that this was illegal, I was sure it isn't. Can I get a consensus on this?

[Tbiesty]

Yes, that is legal to do.

[jdizzy001]

Heck, you could discard two cards to cause an effect, like with glimpse of fate

[V-R4NG3R]

elvensword says, to make a minion skirmishing bearer and glimpse of fate says 'a' minion in general.. wouldnt that make the difference?

[TheJord]

The cost is exert or discard 2 cards. You then fulfil as much of the effect as possible.

[Kralik]

On a related note, with certain burden-management decks, I will do things like put on the ring (Answer to All Riddles) while another companion is skirmishing, etc. You've paid the cost, even if it does nothing.

Long live cycling with Elven Sword!

[macheteman]

yeah, just remember that its 2 cards and not just one. ;-)

[Terwin]

macheteman, you words prick my conscience.

Actually I just hadn't played in a while...

Thnx for all the replies people.

[Argonmann]

I don't want to restart this discussion, but I still don't quite understand why you can use the "Skirmish:"-Ability on Elven Sword when Haldir isn't even assigned to a skirmish? So is it ok to use a special ability and pay the costs (exert/discard/remove...) even if you know the effect cannot happen?

Regarding Elven Sword, I would think the minimum requirement is that Haldir is assigned to a skirmish...?

[gk1964]

If that were the case then Saruman, Agent of the Dark Lord would only be able to exert to boost himself.

[Argonmann]

If that were the case then Saruman, Agent of the Dark Lord would only be able to exert to boost himself.

I think that is a different case. You may exert Saruman in any skirmish phase to make a minion in that skirmish strength +2 – I understand that. But with Elven Sword, is it possible to perform the skirmish special ability in any skirmish phase, even if there is no minion(S) assigned to the bearer of Elven Sword (ergo no effect)? So it's just a chance to discard 2 cards from hand you want to get rid of?

[HawkeyeSPF]

Trust us on this, Elven Sword works as described. You may perform the action for no result.

[macheteman]

there are 2 parts to elven sword. the cost and the effect. costs can be paid even with no result.

for elven sword the 2 parts go like this.

cost: "exert bearer or discard 2 cards from hand"
effect: "make a minion skirmishing bearer strength -1"

Now if the card read: "spot a minion skirmishing bearer and discard 2 cards from hand, that minion is strength -1." then the skirmishing would be part of the cost. but it isn't.

[Elessar's Socks]

Maybe it'd help to compare Elven Sword to Ranger's Bow. The "If bearer is skirmishing a Man or a roaming minion" part of the Bow is a requirement that must be met before you can even pay the cost of exerting its bearer. The Sword doesn't have such a requirement, so it's just a matter of paying the costs to no effect (if its bearer isn't skirmishing).

[Argonmann]

there are 2 parts to elven sword. the cost and the effect. costs can be paid even with no result.

All right, that makes it clear. But, for another example: Could I just use the Archery special ability on Legolas, Greenleaf when there are not any minions at all (it wouldn't make any sense of course)? And if so, would he still not add to the fellowship archery total as this the second part of the effect, like:

- Exert Legolas (cost), then
- wound a minion (effect a) and he does not add to the fellowship archery total (effect b)

Or is wounding a minion the requirement for not adding to the fellowship archery total?