Uncommon Hero Ability Wording

[bmaczero]

As I was writing up the new keywords list for my Heroscape card-making utility (see sig ), I noticed that the abilities on Uncommon Hero cards have inconsistant wordings. Some abilities (Flying and Ice Cold) say "A Wyvern" or "While a Greater Ice Elemental...", but most of them say "This Wyvern..." or "This Greater Ice Elemental..."

Does this wording change anything? If one of your Wyverns gets Negated, can it still fly if you have another Wyvern that says "a Wyvern" can fly?

Also, which abilities would have "a" instead of "this"? It seems to me like innate qualities have "a" while anything else has "this".

[jschild]

Uncommon's each have their own card, just like uniques. That's why it says THIS, as it applies to that specific one.

Whereas on a common hero, you only have one card and when activating it, could use any of those common hero's that are available.

As you said for your Wyvern's, only the card that gets negated cannot fly. All others can. Remember, you cannot negate a common hero or squad.

[bmaczero]

But even just on an Uncommon Hero's card, you get both wordings. Look:


Ice Cold says "While a Greater Ice Elemental...", while its other abilities refer specifically to "this Greater Ice Elemental..."

[jschild]

Originally Posted by bmaczero

But even just on an Uncommon Hero's card, you get both wordings. Look:


Ice Cold says "While a Greater Ice Elemental...", while its other abilities refer specifically to "this Greater Ice Elemental..."

No, it's not a misprint. Read it carefully. The first applies to ANY Greater Ice Elemental on water. It doesn't matter which one because the same thing happens regardless.

The other two refer to actions pertaining to that specific greater ice elemental only. That is the difference.

[NecroBlade]

"This" would've been perfectly fine in "Ice Cold" and would've avoided this question. It's not a "misprint," no, but maybe a "mistake."

[airdroppette]

Even though I wouldn't imagine for misprints to occur, I believe in this situation it is a mistake.
Just like jschild stated, since each uncommon hero gets its own card, the wording should apply to the specific figure for that card, in other words, this Greater Ice Elemental, and not a which leads you to believe that you can use any Greater Ice Elementals you control.

[bmaczero]

I kind of like it because it implies that even if one of your Ice Elementals gets negated, that doesn't get rid of the fact that it's innately really cold and freezes water regardless of conditions. I'm not convinced it's a mistake because both the Wyvern and the Ice Elemental show it, and there is that similarity between the abilities that are worded with "a".

[King of Blanks]

The way it's worded allows for an Ice Elemental that has been placed on a water region from a previous OM to continue the effects stated. That is, you can plop one in the water to create an ice bridge that will remain in effect, regardless of which Ice Elemental is currently in play. Cleverly worded on the part of the designers IMHO.

[jschild]

Originally Posted by bmaczero

I kind of like it because it implies that even if one of your Ice Elementals gets negated, that doesn't get rid of the fact that it's innately really cold and freezes water regardless of conditions. I'm not convinced it's a mistake because both the Wyvern and the Ice Elemental show it, and there is that similarity between the abilities that are worded with "a".

No, that's not true. That ONE elemental can be totally negated. But, the ability itself does not need to be activated or "used", it automatically happens with any and all Ice elementals.

The other two powers are conditional - and thus only apply to specific elementals at any one time.

[SpartanNinja]

Originally Posted by jschild

No, that's not true. That ONE elemental can be totally negated. But, the ability itself does not need to be activated or "used", it automatically happens with any and all Ice elementals.

The other two powers are conditional - and thus only apply to specific elementals at any one time.

I think that's why he wants to know, because if this is how it works, then any Wyvern can fly, negated or not.

[NecroBlade]

...unless that GIE is negated. It would be pretty stupid if a negated GIE still iced things just because you drafted a second GIE. Same for Wyverns and flying.

Of course, I could be wrong and an official ruling on this wouldn't hurt.

[cereal crusher]

Originally Posted by NecroBlade

...unless that GIE is negated. It would be pretty stupid if a negated GIE still iced things just because you drafted a second GIE.

Of course, I could be wrong and an official ruling on this wouldn't hurt.

No, you're right. bmac just wants to do it his way which is fine. No need for a ruling.