BSG

(Edited since BT objected.) I can play a medium amount into the check via multiple cards.

BSG

No, you can't. You can say whether the total is low, medium or high. You can't break it down into individual cards.

BSG

I went back and changed it, but apparently the FAQ needs to be clearer, then. Since it says you can say you have a high card or a low card or even "I'm playing five low cards into this check."

BSG

No, you can't. You can say whether the total is low, medium or high. You can't break it down into individual cards.

I disagree with this. According to my reading of the FAQ, you could say I'm playing 1 low and 1 high card into the check.

When in doubt, players may make statements that are “polar opposites”. This means that players may say if they have a “high” or “low” strength card, but may not say that they have a “pretty high”, “kinda low” or even a “medium” strength card.

Players may also say such statements as “I am playing five low cards to this skill check”. They may do this because the number of cards being added to the skill check is open information.

In any case, given what I think you both have color-wise, I can't imagine we can pass this check unless Tigh can make a solid contribution with his card. So, before I post my play, I will wait for Tigh to say if his card is low or high.

Enunciating each individual card goes well beyond giving information in polar opposites. It gives multiple items of information on a single play. It also gets you very close to listing the cards you're playing, which is not permitted. The example given, you'll note, applies one description ("low") to the entire play of five cards.

Finally, it doesn't pass the smell test. Being able to provide that kind of detail would make it far too diffeicult for hidden Cylons to sabotage skill checks, which is kind of the point of the secrecy rules. In short, it's not supposed to be that easy for humans to plan out skill checks.

The example given, you'll note, applies one description ("low") to the entire play of five cards.

I get your point, but I don't agree with your interpretation. It is not a description of the entire play, it is a description of each card.

It says 5 low cards. If you can say that, then you could say 5 high cards, or 2 low cards, or 2 high cards. How does that not mean that you could say 1 low and 1 high card?

It says 5 low cards. If you can say that, then you could say 5 high cards, or 2 low cards, or 2 high cards. How does that not mean that you could say 1 low and 1 high card?

Because:

You can only speak in polar opposites
You can't list the cards you played
It doesn't pass the smell test

My point about the example given is simply why it doesn't contradict the rest of the secrecy rules.

BSG

You know a game is getting tight when the rule book is dissected so finely.

I seem to recall from previous forum games the rule was vague, by how much you could contribute to the check. NOT vague per card that you can contribute to the check.

If the check is 7 and you can contribute 9, then you could say "I can contribute a high amount into this check". If you can contribute 3, then you would say a medium. If one or two, then low. But due to secrecy rules, you can not say "I can contribute a high orange, and a low black, and a medium indigo". And quite frankly, I would think it dangerous to do so. Then you are giving away your hand to the enemy while you plan it for this hand. Let's say you announce the vague specifics of your hand. And one of the cylons tracks the beejeebees out of the game. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what you have. And then you determine you don't have enough to pass the check. Now the cylon knows what you have for the next check. And can determine that it's not in his best interest to play that indigo 5 he has to tank it. And he saves it for the following check, which causes it to not pass by one. Had you not telegraphed your hand so much, you would have changed the course of the game.

So, as the GM for this game, I say, you can NOT give vague specifics. You can say polar opposites. "I can help a lot with this check" or "I can help a little with this check", or "I can't help with this check".

So say we all.

BSG
Now, let's keep this ball rolling. Helo? What do you wish to play?
7 PB
Destiny Deck: Y1, G2
Apollo: R2
Boomer: Y3
Zarek: No Cards
Helo:
Tigh: CO's in hand
Chief:
Running Total: -8 out of 7
FAIL

Helo? What do you wish to play?

I'm waiting to hear from Tigh.