Unofficial Rulebook Discussion #11 (Aug 22 - Aug 25) -- Crashed Gate

[Tbiesty]

This discussion and ruling is part of the series of discussions and rulings for an "Unofficial Rulebook" as described here.

This discussion will be open from Aug 22, 2010 - Aug 25, 2010.
The outcome of this discussion and ruling will be added to the "Unofficial Rulebook".

Discussion #11:

With Crashed Gate, can the Free Peoples player always pick the "choose an opponent..." option?    (previous discussion)

Option 1: (initially favored ruling)
Yes. The Free Peoples player chooses to either add threats or chooses an opponent. That opponent MAY take control of the site. If all controllable sites are already controlled, Free Peoples player can still choose an opponent. If there are 3 threats and 4 companions then Freeps MUST choose an opponent.

Option 2:
No. If all controllable sites are already controlled, Free Peoples player MUST add threats.

[Elessar's Socks]

Option 1. Definitely feel like I overthought things in that thread.

If the effect of a card or special ability requires you to choose one of two different actions, you must choose an action that you are fully capable of performing (if possible).

The part that restricts your choice is that the action must be something you are fully capable of performing. In the second option of Crashed Gate, the only thing it's asking you to do is to choose an opponent. Taking control of a site is something your opponent does, and therefore whether site control is possible or not is irrelevant here. Also, the second option can't be asking you to choose an opponent who is able to take control of a site, as we would run out of text and leave the opponent with nothing to actually do. (Now there's a thought.)

[Thranduil]

Agree with ES. Option 1. That opponent may control a site.

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

Option one. ES convinced me once more.

[mardukra]

#1

[chompers]

Definately option 1

[MR. Lurtzy]

Option 1.

[Elessar's Socks]

Incidentally, I can't think of a single example where you can't fully perform at least one of two given choices. I think the rules cover such a situation already--you can choose either--but still, I wonder if that's by design.

[Tbiesty]

Option 1 it is.   The "Unofficial Rulebook" has been updated.