cosmic zap

[davidchin 0]

Can a cosmic zap negate a flare card?

Read in the FAQ somewhere that it is allowed but the cosmic zap card explicitly states it can only be used to cancel a use of an alien power.

Pls help. Thanks.

[PJSlavner 4]

A Cosmic Zap can only be used to zap a flare card if it is being used as a super flare.  In that case, it is really the power that is being used to prevent the flare from being used as a super flare.  The player who played the super flare does not have to discard it; in addition, that player may now play it as a wild flare that encounter, if possible.

[Just_a_Bill 84]

PJSlavner said:

 A Cosmic Zap can only be used to zap a flare card if it is being used as a super flare. 

 

A Cosmic Zap can never "zap a flare".  It can zap a power when a player is attempting to use his Super flare, but we really should not use the phrase "Cosmic Zap a super flare" because it is misleading.  The use and timing of flares in FFG is so fiddly and confusing that I think it's wise for us all (I've been guilty of this myself) to be careful with our words so we don't add to the confusion.

Regarding the FAQ, I would say "always get a second opinion" because it contains a number of errors.  I wrote a review on BGG where I tried to work through the issues and clarify what I could:

www.boardgamegeek.com/article/4670314

[PJSlavner 4]

Yes, I should be more careful with my wording.  In my second sentence, I inadvertently omitted that the Cosmic Zap is really zapping the power, not the flare.

 

 

[Jopustopin 0]

 Can you cosmic zap a player before he even tries to use his ability.   Example:

Miser plays an attack 40... Ethic plays an attack 12.  Ethic's ability turns it into a negotiate however Miser has two rift cards in his hand and doesn't mind ethic taking them.  But he doesn't want ethic to get his cosmic zap.  Can he cosmic zap another player at the table when they are not using their ability nor do they intend to?

[Just_a_Bill 84]

Jopustopin said:

Can you cosmic zap a player before he even tries to use his ability?

No. The rulebook, under Zapping Powers, says "Occasionally, a game effect (such as the “Cosmic Zap” artifact) is said to zap a power. This can only happen when the power is used as described on its alien sheet."

The new wording of the Cosmic Zap card itself is a bit vague, but the original Eon version also made this crystal clear: "Stop power of any one player just as he attempts to use it."  The new version does use the word "cancel", though (not "prevent").  You can't cancel something that hasn't started to happen yet.