Reversing Actions
Flesh and Blood can be a complicated game; most cards can be used in more than one way, and players see a lot of cards every turn. Every now and then, players will make errors in a game that are technically legal within the rules of the game but not what the player intended to do. Judges can reverse some of these errors; this article aims to be a guide for that decision.
What Does It Mean to Reverse an Action?
“Reversing Actions” is referenced in the Tournament Rules and Policy (5.4), and describes judges reversing one single action that has been an immediately caught legal game play error.
Players are generally not permitted to reverse a completed action that has been communicated as they should think about their game actions before they carry them out. Yet it is only human to sometimes stumble over your own thoughts, throwing over your plans for a turn in the last second, or being so engrossed in the conversation with an opponent to forget what you actually wanted to do.
Judges may allow the reversal of an action only if they believe that the player who has made the “error” gained no new information. Judges should talk to both players to make sure they get the perspectives from all players involved. To investigate it may also be helpful to have the player act out the scenario to give a better idea of the situation. Separating the players to talk to them individually may also be useful, especially if the players argue.
Identifying When Information is Gained
Examples for what new information can be (but is not limited to):
- A card being revealed by the opponent as they react to the gameplay.
- The opponent declaring “no blocks”.
- The opponent being visibly happy over a suboptimal gameplay
- The opponent moving their hand towards their Equipments with Arkane Barrier when threatened by Arcane Damage
If Information is likely to have been gained, or if it is unclear after the investigation, reversing the action would give an unfair advantage to the player who made the “error”, as they now could base their play on the new information. For this reason a reversal should not be allowed.
Example: Tyler plays a Brutal Assault, pitching a yellow card. After Nic has declared their blocking cards, Tyler realizes that they wanted to pitch a different card.
Tyler has gained information about the defending cards, which may have changed their pitch decision. Therefore, reversing should not be allowed.
If the judge believes that no new information has been gained, they can reverse the action and let the play continue from that point on.
Example: Tyler plays a Brutal Assault, pitching a yellow card. Immediately, Tyler realizes they wanted to pitch a different card. Both players agree that it all happened within a second of pitching the wrong card.
Here, it is unlikely that Tyler has gained any information and a reversal can be considered.
Example: Tyler plays a Brutal Assault, pitching a yellow card. Nick has no cards left in their hand or arsenal and one equipment that already has two -2 defense counters, and therefore a block value of 0. Both players write down the change in life total without a word. Tyler then wants to end their turn, realising they have pitched the card they wanted to keep for their next turn, instead of the card they have now left in their hand. ”
Here, it is unlikely that Tyler has gained any information and a reversal can be considered.
Dexterity errors are not considered actions taken by players and therefore a reversal of the error should take place.
Example: On Tyler’s turn, they nervously flick the cards in their hand, deciding on their gameplan. They pitch a yellow card and say “Command and Conquer” as they put a Brutal Assault into the Arena. They call a judge immediately and the opponent agrees that Tyler announced a Command and Conquer.
Tylers intent is clear here, this was a dexterity error, a reversal would be appropriate.
Reversing actions follows the same principles at every Rules Enforcement Level. The decision if a reversal will be allowed or denied should be the same for that situation regardless of it being a Prerelease or the Pro Tour. Enforcing the same rules across all levels of play sets the right expectations.
Players may ask their opponent if they let them take back an action but are not allowed to coerce them to let them do so. If a judge notices such behaviour they should step in immediately and educate the players. Sometimes players will allow their opponents to reverse the game without a judge, or even after they have called a judge. In this case the judge should watch over the process but doesn’t need to step in, unless there are doubts about the intentions or the resolving of the situation.
The following graphic summarizes and visualizes the key points of this article:
Featured Image: Timesnap Potion by MJ Fetesio
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