low dagger
Would it be legal to use a cover such as the one in the attached photos to obscure the equipment and weapons being presented during sideboaeding? After my opponent has also presented I would be able to simply lift the cover and then spread out my equipment. I am planning on getting my GF Valiant Dynamos graded and am worried about the slab giving away if I am on Hatchets or Dawnblade when I play Dorinthea.
If I need to I could just get some refraction Bolters graded as well but this would be much cheaper
cyan marten
I would say no as the comprehensive rules gives two options and this is not one of them
This also goes back to the good old proxies for graded fables argument of slabbing cards being a deliberate choice you made.
Anyway, I think you're probably thinking too much into it - unless your opponents know you well enough to know the leg equipment you use for each style, that one is slabbed and the other isn't and which is which, they're not gaining any info.
carmine smelt
and any opponent worth worrying about this has probably already guessed what you are running anyway.
low dagger
might just have to not get them graded then
theres definately been metas in the past where hatchets and dawnblade are both viable, and my locals would know if i have graded dynamos but no graded bolters
I suspect something like this would still be in the no/grey area range?
single facedown pile (with a piece of paper around it)
the intent of course being to keep the cards and their number private
perhaps this is one of those things where i'd have to check with the head judge before an event?
since this isnt something i would realistically be woried about at a large event, it'd mostly be relevant for stuff like local PQs
fallow vortex
I don't see the slip of paper or full box examples being different enough to really matter
The copy/paste above is the entirety of the rules surrounding this
Technically, I can't think of any way this gains you an unfair advantage. Just the advantage of obscuring your equipment suite during start of game, which is your right anyways
On the other hand, this is a problem of your own creation. As Oli mentioned with the reference to proxies, the rules in other places don't really give leeway to issues cause by the player themselves
I think different judges may rule this different ways. Checking with the HJ beforehand is a good idea, but only if you have a backup plan in case they say no. If that backup plan is just, "Be at a disadvantage because everyone will know what I'm playing", you might want to forego putting yourself in that situation
Suggestion: Paper sideboard notes are allowed. And they need to be put away at the exact moment you reveal your equipment. Sooooo....
low dagger
wait i can present my equipment pile after sideboarding?
fallow vortex
Chosing your equipment is a part of sideboarding
low dagger
right so the cards would have to be facedown on my playmat before the conclusion of sideboarding
fallow vortex
They are turned up at the conclusion of sideboarding, yes. That is also the point where your sideboard notes would need to be put away
low dagger
ok yeah thats what i thought, glad I explored this avenue but i can see how this is indeed a deviation from policy
i'll just have to fork over an extra 20$ or so to get some refraction bolters graded
i've spent larger sums of money for smaller advantages in this game lol
valid linden
As a judge and a self-proclaimed competitive player, I can guarantee that the advantage your opponent get from this is close to minimum 😅
compact jackal
Don't use your sideboard notes to obscure your play area.
Also, I disagree with this being a judgement call from the HJ. This is not allowed.
spark swallow
You can just take more time during sideboarding, so the opponent inevitably finishes sideboarding before you, if you are that concerned with that
compact jackal
Don't run the clock either, nor incite your players to do so.
The TRP and the PPG aren't exhaustive. They won't list all the things forbidden. If you think a clever way to angleshoot, it's likely not as clever as you think, because we care about the philosophy, not the letter of the documents.
If a behaviour would be disruptive if all players started to emulate it, use your judgement and educate your players about not doing such a thing.
Players aren't supposed to try to deploy other obsfucating measures than the one given in the TRP, presenting their arena cards in a pile.
low dagger
one more question, thanks for all the feedback btw.
this also means that presenting tokens alongside your arena cards would not be allowed? IE: if i count 6 slabs in my opponents pile, i can be confident that they have presented 6 arena cards + a hero
low dagger
so if im worried about keeping my number of weapons private, i should probably not use slabs/minisnaps, but if my opponent presents a stack of 6 slabs the rules wont protect me if i try to count them only to find out one of them had a token
devout wave
you are not allowed to intentionally count the equipment in your opponent's pile, so this question is kinda moot
low dagger
is that actual policy? should i call a judge if i suspect it?
alpine void
It comes down to the number of equipment cards you present is not public information during sideboarding. Attempting to subvert this by counting the opponent's pile is intentionally trying to skirt the rules
You can ask your opponent and they're not obligated to tell you, but if you're trying to get info you're not entitled to on your own that's not allowed
compact jackal
But yes, nothing in the play space should be there until they have a gameplay reason to do so. Tokens should never be in the play space until they are created, and removed from the play space once they cease to exist.
low dagger
thanks for clarifying
lament cypress