Four-part question: first, can you verify that, when a character has more than one of the same status card…

Question

Four-part question: first, can you verify that, when a character has more than one of the same status card and that character loses the ability that allowed that to happen, is the player meant to discard status cards to meet the usual limit of one status card of each type? Currently, I understand Colossus’ hero ability is meant to allow him to have two tough status cards and this answer would affect what happens if his text box is blanked or if he flips to Alter-Ego. Similarly, the Steady keyword allows some characters to hold up to two stunned or two confused status cards and this keyword could be lost while the character still has two of the same status card. … Secondly, would you consider re-wording the rules reference entry for status cards from “A character cannot have more than one status card of each type at a time.” (RRv1.6 p38) to something like “Only one status card of each type at a time can be on a character unless otherwise allowed by a card ability.” perhaps with additional verbiage making it clear what to do about having more than one if you lose the ability that allowed that to happen? The main concern behind this request to revise a section of rules is with the word “cannot” within the rules text.

The rules reference entry for “cannot” (RRv1.6 p11) makes it clear the word is absolute and applies not just to cards on the table but to rules, as well, with anything that says “cannot” taking precedence. We’ve even had an official ruling (Hall of Heroes post 1.5 pre 1.6) explaining that not even the Golden Rule can override “cannot”. … Thirdly, would you similarly need to re-word the sections for the Crisis icon, the Guard keyword, and the Patrol keyword? The rules entries for all of these also use the word “cannot” in the rules text. Several player cards are meant to circumvent these things: Nebula’s Evasive Maneuvering, the Justice Wasp ally, Colossus’ Shadowcat ally, the Shadowcat hero, and Psylocke’s Psionic Training, among others. That said, all of these cards instruct the player to “ignore” the mentioned icon or keywords, so maybe that’s enough? I’m not sure that’s enough to counter the supposedly-absolute “cannot”, though. … Finally, do you think it would be wise to define “ignore” within the rules reference? The word is used in the definition of the Ranged keyword, in a few other places within the rules reference, on a dozen or so player cards, and on a small number of encounter cards. I suppose everyone’s naturalistic understanding of the word might be enough, though, so maybe it’s unnecessary.

Answer

— Alex