Card Reviews · ArkhamDB

George Barnaby

I'm getting confused about the "Limit 5 cards" - I was trying to compare it to Diana and Gloria but wording is different every time - can I still use the ability when there are 5 cards under him and discard one of the previous ones?

2/20/25

arkadiusz666 · 1

I don't think you can discard cards that are beneath George Barnaby. You can only commit them to tests. So if he has five cards beneath him you can't his reaction ability after discarding a card. — Frickenator · 29 2/20/25

I agree you cant discard cards beneath George, but I don't see any reason in the card text why you can't keep adding cards past 5. — RichardPlunkett · 12 3/10/25

To be specific, I think the (Limit 5 cards.) in his first ability is capping the handsize benefit of having cards beneath him, not capping the count of cards beneath him (which would be more correctly implemented in his last power preventing too many being added, just like in Diana's text) — RichardPlunkett · 12 3/10/25

Ah, I see. That seems to be interpreting it as a misplaced modifier. The most reasonable intepretation, to me, is that it applies to either the number of cards beneath George Barnaby, or to both. I can't think of reason to write like it appears if your interpretation is the intention. — Frickenator · 29 3/14/25

I don't know their intent. As written, I would interpret it as only limiting your hand size. The sentence is about his max hand size and only refers to the cards beneath him to establish that number. I think it would be worded like Diana if it was intended to limit the number of cards beneath him. — Hirangren · 1 3/14/25

There's now a ruling on this from Duke: "He can only have 5 cards under him max, at any given time. I think the idea is that his hand size is set to that and cannot be increased, but I'd rather not make a ruling on that until closer to release." While there is further clarity needed, I think the limit is clear. I would take this to mean the reaction can't trigger when you're at the 5 limit, personally. — HungryColquhoun · 9377 3/17/25

Well, it's clearly not a "ruling", it says so right in the response. And it's also frankly stupid. This continues the steady decline in my respect for the current rules guardians who seem to make "rulings" based more on what they think is intended or desirable than what is written on the cards. I think there is no defense for Duke's position without errata. — RichardPlunkett · 12 3/23/25

Well okay, there's a "comment from the devs" on how this should work if you find the word ruling so offensive... — HungryColquhoun · 9377 4/16/25

My understanding is that you can still use the reaction regardless, since the limite for the reaction is just 'once per phase'. That much is cristal clear for me. I actually have doubts if you can or cannot put a sixth card under him (6, 7, and so on) or you would have to send to the discard anything over 5, allowing you to effectively cycle the cards under him. — madcircus · 141 4/17/25

Confiscation

Of course Michael wants to play as many Firearm assets as possible to trigger his investigator reaction ability more often, but I wonder if this weakness is really such a drawback if you have means to - intended - draw (them) back. What it means besides crippling him if checked by the cops at an unfortunate time, it is for one highly probable that you have some more guns in your hand anyway (waiting to be played), but what's more, shuffling the ones in play into your deck means you get a free ammo replenishment on all of them!

2/20/25

AlderSign · 387

Sacred Woods

I wonder if my 15 Permanent assets for my Mystic count...

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't. Like, I do control my permanents, right? Preston can manipulate resources on his Family Inheritance, so surely he controls his permanent asset.

2/17/25

Rushional · 128

Works for sure. If something should not work with Permanent cards, it will tell you. Like the deckbuilding options for || Jenny or the ability of the spoiled "Drowned City" card "Memories of Another Life" do. It would be a stretch to call this anywhere near broken, though. There are player cards, that potentially reduce shroud to 0 on a much more regular basis, than a location, that might (or might not) enter a specific scenario. — Susumu · 381 2/18/25

Wrong Place, Right Time

Let's imagine the board state necessary to make it productive to play this card.

First, you need 5 damage and/or horror on you. This should be relatively common for investigators who don't have good soak.

Second, you need one or more in-play assets at your location that can receive up to 5 damage and/or horror. A Precious Memento could take all of it assuming it has no damage and horror on it. This should be relatively common for investigators with a lot of good soak.

Finally, in order to draw a card or two you need to be willing to discard one or more assets. This lets out expensive, self-healing assets like the Precious Memento and Jessica Hyde. You need to instead play with cheap, recyclable soak such as Leather Coat, Cherished Keepsake, Hunting Jacket, or a composure like Plucky. Drawing cards for these can help replace them quickly.

So to build around this card you should include lots of cheap soak. But instead of using it to soak your damage and horror, put the damage and horror on yourself. Then, instead of taking a draw action or two, play Wrong Place, Right Time.

2/17/25

Frickenator · 29

Try a pal's Obsidian Bracelet to heal Hank Samson, who can move damage but not heal. Also a big $ maker for a certain motorcycle cop. — MrGoldbee · 1484 2/18/25

Tristan Botley

Fun fact: This card can be used together of On Your Own, which can be quite nice as an additional soak with a neat effect. However, this card wants to be in a Blursed deck and the only investigators with access to both Tristan, On Your Own and Survivor Events are Bob Jenkins, Charlie Kane and Wendy Adams, and only the later really benefits from this Archetype.

2/15/25

Temmye · 1

No it can't. Seems, they still not fixed the wrong preview picture on ArkhamDB. The printed versions use an ally slot. — Susumu · 381 2/16/25

See the comments on the review with 6 hearts for reference. — Susumu · 381 2/16/25