Deadly Ground

Legend of the Five Rings card from Gold Edition, Pre-Imperial Edition, Imperial Edition, Emerald Edition, Battle of Beiden Pass, Obsidian Edition, Jade Edition, Pearl Edition, Promotional–Samurai, Storms Over Matsu Palace, Celestial Edition 15th Anniversary, Top Deck Booster Pack, Shadowlands, Anvil of Despair, Crimson and Jade, Time of the Void, Hidden Emperor Starter, Scorpion Clan Coup Starter, Ambition's Debt, Soul of the Empire, Broken Blades, An Oni's Fury

Card Type

Strategy

Gold Cost

0

Keywords

Terrain

Card Text

Players may not take actions during this battle unless the action will destroy this Terrain.
Battle: If there are no Terrains at the current battlefield: Put this card into play there.

Focus Value

1

Legality

Clan Wars (Imperial), Four Winds (Gold), Hidden Emperor (Jade)

Deck

Fate

Printings

Rulings

• Prevents the playing of all non-terrain-destroying actions within the Battle Action Segment and Resolution Segments [card text], including Reactions played "when" or "after" a card is destroyed. Does not prevent Reactions played "after resolution" or "after the Attack Phase." [Partial Reversal, DW, email, 6/2/97] Rules Archive, August 18, 2007, p. 12
• For an action to be legal, it must directly destroy Deadly Ground. Actions that destroy the terrain in a roundabout way (e.g., ending the battle without resolution) are not legal. [DW, 10 October 1996] Rules Archive, August 18, 2007, p. 12
• Q: My opponent has played a Deadly Ground against me, so now I can only take an action which would destroy it. Superior Strategist doesn't destroy anything, but it lets me get a card from my Fate deck and play it immediately. Can I use it to fetch and play a terraindestroying card? A: Yes. Playing the card you pull is part of Superior Strategist's effect. It's all one action and it destroys Deadly Ground, so it's OK. (And since it's all one action, you can't use another Battle or Open action, like the Oracle of Earth, to put it into play.) Legend of the Five Rings FAQ, Version 3.6.2, May 1998, p. 9
• Q: Let me mix those two questions now! Can I play A Samurai's Fury after Deadly Ground? A: No, for two reasons. The first is that A Samurai's Fury can only be used if there is a terrain in play that resolves at the end of the battle, but Deadly Ground goes into effect right away and doesn't wait until the end. The second is that Deadly Ground prohibits a// actions for that battle except actions that would destroy it, from the time the terrain is played up to -- and including -- the destruction of cards on the losing side. Legend of the Five Rings FAQ, Version 3.6.2, May 1998, p. 9
• Q: So if my opponent plays Deadly Ground and wins the battle, I can't use my Crane Poets to gain honor from my Personalities dying? What about Final Breath? Or Counterattack? A: Deadly Ground (and sometimes Night Battle) prohibits actions "for this battle", which means it lasts through the entire Resolution Segment since that's still part of the battle. And it prohibits a// actions, including Reactions, that do something besides destroy it. This means you can't react to the destruction of cards on the losing side. Reactions that get played "after resolution", such as Counterattack and, by the errata in past rulebooks, Final Breath, are still legal. Legend of the Five Rings FAQ, Version 3.6.2, May 1998, p. 9
• Focus on... The Wind's Truth: The Wind's Truth is Political, by glossary definition. "Another player" means someone other than the one who is going to gain/lose the Honor, not someone other than the caster. The Honor gain from winning or tying in a battle is one single gain. Deadly Ground, and possibly Night Battle, render it illegal, since they last for the entire battle and Honor is gained during the Resolution Segment. The source of the gain/loss remains unchanged. The Ring of Air can redirect it, but only to another "another player," so you can't send the gain/loss right back to the player from which it was just taken. In a two-player game, the Ring of Air cannot be used on it. The Imperial Herald, Issue 12, p. 34
• Q: Wow, that Dark Path of Shadow ability is confusing! Does it work against Deadly Ground? What about the Armor of Earth? Can I use it when I don't have any defenders? A: If you get a chance to perform a Battle or Open action, you can use the Stronghold ability. Period. Even if it's illegal. Deadly Ground won't stop it, nor will Night Battle or a lack of defenders. Effects that resolve the battle immediately will get around it since Battle Actions can no longer be used. The Dark Path's action can also be cancelled by an appropriate countermeasure, such as the Armor of Earth (but not A Test of Courage, since the Dark Path doesn't target anything). And it won't send home units that can't be removed from the battle. The Imperial Herald, Issue 11, p. 26

Rules Q&A

• Q: One of the new Dawn of the Empire cards is "Troll War Band".
  It has the trait "While Troll War Band is unbowed in the current battle, you cannot pass."
  It also has two Battle actions which bow Troll Warband.
  I was just wondering what happens in the following situations:
  1) Your opponent plays Deadly Ground. You cannot take an action, and cannot pass.
  2) Troll Warband has both it's abilities removed (Say, by Same Old Tricks after multiple Well Prepareds). You have no other Battle actions you can play.
  3) As above, Troll Warband has both it's abilities removed (Say, by Same Old Tricks after multiple Well Prepareds). You have a Battle action you can use any number of times (For example, Hoshi Eisai XP).
  I realise that it's a little premature, I just thought that it was a really interesting situation.
  A: If you can't do anything at all, you have to pass. Martin Lund, "Rules for 22-25 August 2004", 30 Aug 2004
• Q: I play deadly ground and I have enough force to destroy the province. Can I use the reaction of the Armor to put the ring of Earth into play, or does Deadly Ground prevent me to do so ?
  A: Deadly Ground stays in force during the Resolution Segment (Gold Edition rulebook, pg. 58), and thus prevents the action. Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 5 October 2003, Part 2", 5 Oct 2003
• Q: Greetings,
  Could One Life, One Action be played in response to Deadly Ground or Night Battle, or is it considered playing an action in the current battle?
  A: One Life, One Action is not a legal response to Deadly Ground or Night Battle, as OLOA has to wait until the action has completely resolved before it can be played. After either of those Terrains have been played, no more Actions can be played, so...no One Life, One Action.
  Vaughn
  * Rules Guy * The Random Ninja Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for July 22nd, 2003", 22 Jul 2003
• Q: Sneak/Mushin/Show of Strength/Deadly Ground. Now that's power.
  Umm..hey Vaughn...Mushin is a Battle action. So, Sneak/Mushin/Show of Strength/Deadly Ground can't be done, since Show must be the first battle action and all. Just thought I would point that out. :)
  A: Curses! Now I have to disassemble that deck...
  No, you're exactly right. I was just caught up in the excitement of discovering a new, super secret power combo. I guess I'll just keep playing with the old Secrets/Shame power combo... Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for June 12th", 12 Jun 2003
• Q: 2. Deadly Ground says that no player can take actions in this battle. Well, can actions from cards in play (ranged for example) still be used since they come from cards in play and not from the player? Since I bought my H&E deck and read the Costs and Effects part I can't understand this card anymore....
  A: I had a whole long thing to say about this, but technically, you're right. Deadly Ground only prohibits players from taking (or performing) actions while it's in effect. However, that's an accidental change due to the refinement of the definition of perform. I suppose the next best word to define what happens with all actions, no matter who performs (or takes) them, would be play, so let's try that.
  Deadly Ground should read, "Immediate Battle Terrain: Players can play no actions for this battle except ones that destroy this terrain."
  Jeez, I just errata'd Deadly Ground. I feel weird. Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for June 11th - Part One!", 11 Jun 2003
• Q: If Akodo Yobi is in a battle where his player plays Deadly Ground can his reaction still be used to draw a card? And what if Yobi were outside of the battle?
  A: No and no. Yobi's Reaction is used "after" the Terrain is played. Deadly Ground is in full effect. Yobi's Reaction is an action, and it does not destroy Deadly Ground, therefore it is not allowed by Deadly Ground. It makes no difference whatsoever where Yobi is located. Jeff Alexander, "post for 13 May 2003", 14 May 2003
• Q: I'm assuming this is just an extension of the Superior Strategist/Deadly Ground ruling, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to check in on this... Can you use a Superior Strategist on a bowed personality in order to get a card that would immediately straighten them?
  A: No, for much the same reason. Jeff Alexander, "post for 5 May 2003", 6 May 2003
• Q: Patience Battle: Target one of your Tacticians in the current battle. Until the battle ends, that Personality gains +2F each time you Pass instead of taking a Battle or Open action. This is a use of the Tactician trait.
  I'm defending with Moto Chen. My first action is to play this card. He plays Deadly Ground. I pass. Does Deadly Ground prevent me from gaining +2F?
  A: No. Gaining +2F is not an action. Also, passing is not an action, so you are not prohibited from doing it. Jeff Alexander, "post for 28 April 2003", 29 Apr 2003
• Q: Mercy Shrouds the Earth is played *after* Deadly Ground is played and its restrictions are in force. The kiho's text specifically says, "after." Because the Ruins of Isawa Catle's ability does not destroy or replace Deadly Ground, it is not legal.
  I take it the distinction here is the reason why most canceling effects are properly worded in the present, rather than past tense?
  A: Could be. Really a question for a Lead Designer rather than me. Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 22 April 2003", 23 Apr 2003
• Q: Now, my call in the tourney was that [Ruins of Isawa Castle] could NOT be used to get this kiho [Mercy Shrouds the Earth] after the Deadly hit the table, and the rulings support it:
  "Ruins of Isawa Castle
  * May not get a kiho that destroys a terrain during Deadly Ground or Night Battle. [Reversal; JA, 25 June 2001]"
  A: I guess I should add "or negates" to the archive ruling above. The ruling in the Archive is still correct, and the box power can't be used. Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 20 April 2003", 20 Apr 2003
• Q: I heard a rumor that the following combo is not legal: Deadly Ground -> Drum of Water -> Ring of Water [...] because of uncertainty on whether or not one can take the reaction on Drum of Water after Deadly Ground has been played.
  A: Drum fo Water is played "when an army... destroys an opposing army." That's present tense, which means it's played during battle resolution, which means Deadly Ground can't be played, which means you may not use the Drum of Water. Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 17 April 2003, Part 1", 17 Apr 2003
• Q: 2.) can Kyuden Ikoma cancel a Superior Tactics that's trying to remove a Deadly Ground?
  A: No, nor can most other action-canceling Reactions. It's one of the odd side effects of Deadly Ground. Jeff Alexander, "post for 25 March 2003", 26 Mar 2003
• Q: Deadly Ground prohibits the use of the Drum of Water during resolution.
  The same would go for the reaction on Armor of Osano-wo, since Provinces are destroyed during resolution, correct?
  A: Correct. Deadly Ground stops all Reactions taken during the Battle Action and Resolution Segments except those that destroy Deadly Ground. Jeff Alexander, "post for 24 March 2003", 25 Mar 2003
• Q: Based on the current rulings and words in the rule book, and assumming the normal conditions have been met for the Drum of Waters reaction, can the Drum of water's reaction be used in a battle where Deadly Ground has been used?
  Also Rule book says this. Since the battle doesn't end until all players pass, players cannot take Open or Battle actions after a Delayed Terrain resolves.
  Does this mean that immediate terrains are destroyed as soon as both players pass in a battle because the battle has ended?
  A: The Battle Action Segment ends when both players pass, not the entire battle. Terrains stay in play until either the Resolution Segment ends or a card effect ends the battle without resolution. [GE p. 58]
  Deadly Ground prohibits the use of the Drum of Water during resolution. Jeff Alexander, "post for 20 March 2003", 21 Mar 2003
• Q: but lets face it guys, Jeff and Zen have spoken, isn't it a dead issue?
  A: No. Diamond is not set in stone, and, as Zen said, he's not a designer. Jeff Alexander, "post for 14 February 2003", 18 Feb 2003
• Q: Can you use this combo: Play Deadly Ground, then HLDojo to play Great Cimb form under the Armor of Suntao?
  A: No. Honor's Lesson Dojo's effect is to take an extra action, not to destroy Deadly Ground. Jeff Alexander, "post for 3 February 2003", 4 Feb 2003
• Q: Specifically, I'm wondering if reactions can >be taken during the resolution segment of a battle in which Deadly Ground, Night Battle, or some other action denial terrain has been played.
  A: Terrains not eliminated by any player stay in play until after battle resolution. [GE p. 58] So all Terrains are still in play during Resolution, including Deadly Ground -- which will still have its effect due to being Immediate. Jeff Alexander, "post for 27 January 2003", 28 Jan 2003
• Q: 3) If Deadly Ground is in play, can a terrain under the Armor of Sun Tao be played to destroy it, or is that a secondary effect and not playable?
  A: It's playable. Deadly Ground's destruction is a stated effect of the Armor's Battle action. Jeff Alexander, "post for 7 November 2002", 8 Nov 2002
• Q: Just wanted to make sure I was reading this right but if I play a Deadly Ground while I have Akodo Yobi in play I can NOT take his reaction to draw a card?
  A: Correct. He cannot. Jeff Alexander, "post for 18 September 2002", 19 Sep 2002
• Q: With a POPULAR Stronghold and decent follower (Advance Scout) that foils *any* terrain-based strategy, terrains are just not good right now. There is no counter to negating a terrain, except Fall on your Knees (and even that doesn't work with Deadly Ground as I understand it).
  A: It does if it's countering a Reaction that's taken before Deadly Ground goes into effect...like the one on that Stronghold you're talking about. Jeff Alexander, "post for 25 July 2002", 26 Jul 2002
• Q: Hi all, just a couple of questions for the team. As scheming as I am.. I have a couple of terrain questions, which probably have been answered before..
  Reading the response previously from DW about Snowy Fields, and that reactions do count towards the action count, got me thinking about Deadly Ground. If for whatever reason, I drop Deadly Ground in my action, can either/any player play a reaction off of that if it does not destroy the terrain?
  A: Not if they're played after Deadly Ground resolves, no. This makes it impossible, under normal circumstances, to nail it with One Life, One Action, for instance. Jeff Alexander, "post for 18 July 2002", 19 Jul 2002
• Q: Jeff,
  I'm a little confused by a couple of rulings that would seem to pertain to the Sup Strategist vs. Deadly Ground situation. In your post for 6/11, you state in re to using SS under DG's restrictions-
  (You can't use SS) "because the only direct effect of Superior Strategist is "get an Open or Battle Action card from your Fate deck and play the card", and that doesn't meet Deadly Ground's restrictions on what's legal. The Smart Cards ruling does not apply because it is not public, guaranteed knowledge that a card like Superior Tactics is going to be retrieved."
  But in the next entry, re Hataki exp., you state-
  "Knowing that some or all of an action's parts will fail does not make using that action illegal."
  This would seem to allow a player to play ANY action under Deadly Ground, even though I know it's not going to destroy the terrain.
  A: There is a difference between failing (i.e., producing no noticable effect) and being outright prohibited.
  Imagine two action cards that say "Limited: Destroy all shugenja." and "Limited: Destroy one shugenja." I can play the first when there are no shugenja in play -- the knowledge that nothing will be destroyed does not make it illegal. But I CAN'T play the second -- I need to pick one shugenja as a target, and that's not possible. Jeff Alexander, "post for 17 June 2002", 18 Jun 2002
• Q: I think I already know the answer, but I just wanted to be sure. Regarding Honor's Lesson Dojo:
  Unique. Reaction: Bow after all players pass consecutively in a battle and before delayed terrains resolve to perform one Battle or Open action.
  This can't be used in a battle with Deadly Ground in play, correct? Since this is still part of the battle, Deadly Ground is still in effect when this card's trigger goes off, right?
  A: Right. No HLD during Deadly. Jeff Alexander, "post for 30 April 2002", 1 May 2002
• Q: I'd like to get a clarification if I could. If i am the attacker, and Taisa's personality is in the battle, and the defender either uses fall on your knees on my Sneak or the Lion Terrain Buster reaction on my Deadly Ground, can Taisa cancel these reactions?
  A: I'll give that one a tentative "yes". Jeff Alexander, "post for 29 April 2002", 30 Apr 2002
• Q: If i am the attacker, and Taisa's personality is in the battle, and the defender either uses fall on your knees on my Sneak or the Lion Terrain Buster reaction on my Deadly Ground, can Taisa cancel these reactions?
  A: Jeff Alexander will have to check this answer, but I think so. (I say, "think", because we've been having some discussons in the Rules Junta about the interpretation of "before the Defender's first action.") Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 28 April 2002", 28 Apr 2002
• Q: Question for the rules guys:
  Can Moto Feng's reaction be used when playing a Deadly Ground?
  A: No. Without an explicit "but before it resolves" clause, Reactions taken "AFTER a Terrain is played" will also occur after an Immediate Terrain resolves. Jeff Alexander, "post for 8 April 2002", 9 Apr 2002
• Q: Hello All!
  Was looking at this the other day, it came up in a game with a mate.
  I wanted to play the deadly ground with the scout, and also react with the frontal assault. We decided i couldn't do it (i won the battle anyways) but i would love to know if somehow this is possible to do? I am not all that crash hot on the timing in l5r.
  A: Frontal Assault is played before the Battle Action Segment. [card text] The Scout's Terrain is played before the Defender's first normal action, but that's still within the Battle Action Segment. Frontal Assault will always go first and will preclude playing Deadly Ground with a Scout (or with a Sneak Attack). Jeff Alexander, "post for 18 March 2002", 19 Mar 2002
• Q: Can you use Samurai's Fury after Deadly Ground is played?
  A: No, for two reasons. First, Deadly Ground is an Immediate Terrain, but A Samurai's Fury is only playable after a Delayed Terrain. Second, Deadly Ground's effect lasts until the end of battle resolution, and A Samurai's Fury is an action that does something other than destroy Deadly Ground, so Deadly Ground prohibits it. Jeff Alexander, "post for 5 March 2002", 6 Mar 2002
• Q: 1) May Bayushi Hisa (exp. 3) use his ability when is about to be destroyed in a battle with a Deadly Ground?
  A: No, because it's an action that does not destroy Deadly Ground and Deadly Ground stays in effect until the very end of battle resolution. Jeff Alexander, "post for 16 January 2002", 17 Jan 2002
• Q: Okay, so what happens when you throw Ikoma Tsunari (I've forgotten exactly which version) into the mix with her 'ignoring' of terrains?
  A: Then Deadly Ground stops having any power whatsoever, on any player. Jeff Alexander, "post for 10 January 2002", 11 Jan 2002
• Q: Because Deadly Ground is not yet in effect, could I use " Fall to Your Knees" to cancel the Lion Stronghold effect.
  A: Yes. Jeff Alexander, "post for 10 January 2002", 11 Jan 2002
• Q: If your oppenent is playing Superior Tactics or Divisionary Tactics to destroy your Deadly Ground, can you use Know the Enemy to cancel the destroying Battle Action?
  A: No, because Deadly Ground is still in effect and Know the Enemy is an action that doesn't meet Deadly Ground's play restriction. Jeff Alexander, "post for 9 January 2002", 10 Jan 2002
• Q: Martin Lund escribió:
  Now, when Deadly Ground is in effect, its ability says: "Players can take no actions for this battle except ones that destroy this Terrain." (ref: www.l5rsearch.com).
  So the Reaction from the Lion Stronghold, wich "voids" a terrain, cannot be played, since it doesn't destroy the terrain, and Deadly Ground is an inmediate terrains.
  A: The Lion Stronghold's Reaction is used "When a player plays a Terrain and before it resolves". Deadly Ground is not in effect yet, so this action is not prohibited. Jeff Alexander, "post for 9 January 2002", 10 Jan 2002
• Q: I don't THINK I've seen this anywhere . . .
  Can a player whose personality has a Scout and Armor of Sun Tao attached play a Deadly Ground out from under before his opponent's first action?
  No. You can't take an action that would play a Terrain using the Scout, you have to just play the Terrain.
  Scout text: An Attacker with a Scout in his army may play a terrain card before the Defender performs his first battle action.
  AoST: Limited: You may store as many Terrain cards as you like face down under the armour of Sun-Tao. Battle: Play a Terrain from the Armor of Sun-Tao and destroy any Terrain for this battle (if any). The new Terrain may not be destroyed.
  Scout says you can play a terrain card before the Defender. AoST says, as a Battle action, to play a terrain from under the armor, etc. Scout does not say where it has to come from or how it must be played. Theoretically, Superior Strategist will also work here. Why does Scout want cards from the hand?
  A: To be honest, Superior Strategist was the card that made me change my mind about the ruling. Extending Scout's trait to cover non-normal play of cards opens a causality can of worms, and those are always yucky. If you can use the Armor, and you can use Osuno, and you can use the Oracle of Earth, then why not SupStrat? The literal text of that ruling allows you to use SupStrat to play a terrain, yet that just seems somehow...wrong. Any rules argument that starts to extend into causality is bad. Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for July 25th", 25 Jul 2001
• Q: I don't THINK I've seen this anywhere . . .
  Can a player whose personality has a Scout and Armor of Sun Tao attached play a Deadly Ground out from under before his opponent's first action?
  A: No. You can't take an action that would play a Terrain using the Scout, you have to just play the Terrain. Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for July 23rd", 23 Jul 2001
• Q: If he plays a "Deadly Ground" could a Purusha do the ranged attack?
  A: If the attacker has a Scout, and the defender has a Purusha, the defender will get to Purusha before the attacker can Scout. Due to the new timing rules, the start of the battle action segment is considered to be triggered by the active player (who is usually the attacker). So, the defender's gets the first shot at performing 'before first action' stuff, then the player to his left, and so on. Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for July 20th", 20 Jul 2001
• Q: Ok, nobody can play any actions under a "Deadly Ground" unless the action will destroy the terrain. But, when anybody have the opportunity to destroy the terrain, the "moment" to Shoju or Purusha to act will be gone.
  A: True. A Scouted Deadly Ground will stop pretty much all of the other 'before first action' cards from being used. Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for July 20th", 20 Jul 2001
• Q: Okay. Ran into some card problems. Here are some questions:
  1.
  "Hiruma Sensei
  Each player with one or more units in a defensive army may play actions in that battle regardless of card effects. Negate all costs for such players to take actions. While this card is in play, card effects created by the attacker cannot end a Battle Action Segment."
  So, how does Hiruma Sensei works with, say, Deadly Ground? Played from either side. Does this allows the defensive player to basically ignore Deadly Ground and carry on playing action, while the attacking player and allying players just takes it to the chin?
  A: Yes, it does. Note that defending allies are also spared, provided they have troops in the battle, and that it doesn't matter at all who played Deadly Ground. Jeff Alexander, "replies to 6-9 July 2001", 19 Jul 2001
• Q: [H]ow does Hiruma Sensei works with, say, Deadly Ground?
  A: The defender ignores it. Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 9 July 2001", 10 Jul 2001
• Q: Also, is playing Terrain considered battle actions? Some versions of Deadly Ground have Battle Action on them, while others don't, and I'm not too sure which is the MRP version.
  A: Terrains are Battle actions, yes. You've found one that doesn't say "Battle" on it? Jeff Alexander, "replies to 16 June", 20 Jun 2001
• Q: Greetings,
  I thought this would have been in the archives - especially with all the banter recently over Flee the Darkness, but couldn't find anything as compelling as I had hoped for.
  Situation: My opponent plays Deadly Ground in the current Battle.
  I play Diversionary Tactics to destroy it.
  He plays Flee the darkness to cancel Diversionary Tactics.
  My understanding: FtD would "cancel" DT, thus the terrain is never destroyed.
  If it was never destroyed, then FtD could never have been played.
  How should it play out? A) DT stands, destroying the terrain?
  B) FtD prevents DT, thus DG stays in play?
  A: C) It is illegal to play Flee the Darkness, for two reasons: it only cancels an action that targets your Personalities (Div.Tactics doesn't), and your own Deadly Ground is still in effect and stopping you. Jeff Alexander, "Rulings for 7-9 March 2001", 18 Mar 2001
• Q: In a message dated 2/9/01 1:46:51 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:
  In a message dated 2/7/01 9:58:50 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:
  I've rethought it and I say it needs to stand. Gaheris only allows actions with certain effects to be played. If you don't know, at the time you play an action, whether its effect will be a valid one by Gaheris's text, then you can't play it.
  By what I read on this Gaheris ruling, a player shouldn't be allowed to play Superior Strategist in response to his opponents playing of Deadly Ground.
  Oh, there'll be repurcussions of this either way, let me assure you. It's not like there have never been inconsistancies within the archives before.
  So then Deadly Ground, and Gaheris, which are worded virtually identical, have different rulings about how they work?
  A: So then no matter WHICH way it goes, the archive will have to be combed to keep things consistent. Jeff Alexander, "Rulings for 9 February 2001", 15 Feb 2001
• Q: In a message dated 2/7/01 9:58:50 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:
  I've rethought it and I say it needs to stand. Gaheris only allows actions with certain effects to be played. If you don't know, at the time you play an action, whether its effect will be a valid one by Gaheris's text, then you can't play it.
  By what I read on this Gaheris ruling, a player shouldn't be allowed to play Superior Strategist in response to his opponents playing of Deadly Ground.
  A: Oh, there'll be repurcussions of this either way, let me assure you. It's not like there have never been inconsistancies within the archives before. Jeff Alexander, "Rulings for 7 February 2001", 9 Feb 2001
• Q: If I play the Deadly Ground battle terrain, can my opponent play Ralling cry?
  A: Sure. Deadly Ground's effects last only until the end of the resolution segment, when it leaves play. Rallying Cry is played after the resolution segment, so it's okay. Vaughn Derderian, "Rules for November 13th", 13 Nov 2000
• Q: If deadly ground is in play, can one search for a forewarning or other terrain destruction with superior strategist?
  A: No.
  For Legacy questions, please include the old rulings archive in your searches:
  Deadly Ground * Prevents the playing of all non-terrain-destroying actions within the Battle Action Segment and Resolution Segments [card text], including Reactions played "when" or "after" a card is destroyed. Does not prevent Reactions played "after resolution" or "after the Attack Phase." [Partial Reversal, DW, email, 6/2/97] * For an action to be legal, it must directly destroy Deadly Ground. Actions that destroy the terrain in a roundabout way (e.g., ending the battle without resolution) are not legal. [DW, 10 October 1996] Alex Jones, "Deadly Ground + Superior Strategist", 12 Jul 2008
• Q: May I use Yuki no Onna's Wrath if deadly ground has been played?
  A: No. An action must have an unconditional effect to destroy Deadly Ground for the action to be legal. Zen Faulkes, "Yuki no Onna's Wrath with Deadly Ground", 17 Apr 2008
• Q: If I play Deady Gound with Determination, may my opponent use the Ninja's Stronghold without Determination?
  A: Yes. The Dark Path of Shadow doesn't negate anything; it allows things. Zen Faulkes, "Deadly Ground + Determination + Dark Path of Shadow", 17 Apr 2008
• Q: Deadly Ground takes effect immediately upon being played, so the SH Reaction is like faster than the DG taking effect immediately
  A: The Gold Edition Stronghold wording and GE Terrain mechanics make the intended interaction clearer. My understanding is that this didn't effectively change the way they always interacted. Brook Cunningham, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 14 Oct 2026
• Q: [Imperial]
  Can this Stronghold ability negate/nullify Deadly Ground?
  A: Yes.
  (Replying to a player: "Why does it override the Deadly Ground ability? Since negating isn’t destroying the terrain") The timing is a bit unclear, but it's intended to negate any Terrain before the Terrain takes effect. Brook Cunningham, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 14 Oct 2026
• Q: [OBH]
  Regarding good faith: My opponent plays deadly ground. Can I use a tactician to use (superior strategist/The Death Of The Winds) to search for a way to destroy Deadly ground?
  A: No. The only actions playable are ones that directly remove it, not indirectly. Brook Cunningham, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 2 Aug 2026
• Q: did all terrains in the last three arcs replace the current one? because eg deadly ground does not say so(the errataed version)
  A: Yes, but Deadly Ground wasn't in the last 3. Brook Cunningham, "Oracle of the Void #l5r", 29 Jun 2025
• Q: [OBH] or whatever Edition she happens to be from. Ikoma Tsanuri. "Ignore all effects of terrains and regions." This means, then, that any terrains I play are also negated? I was hoping that terrains would be negated for my enemy but not for me. I was really hoping to play Deadly Ground.
  A: Yeah, sorry. Exp 1 and Exp 2 Tsanuri negate all Terrains and Regions, yours and your opponents'. If you want just the other players' Terrains affected by her, you want non-Exp Tsanuri. Brook Cunningham, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 10 Apr 2025
• Q: another question with searing touch of jigoku. OBH rules. the terrain action says to remove all traits from a terrain. but deadly ground specifically says that no actions may be taken unless the action destroys this terrain. im guessing i cant remove the traits
  A: Right. Only "destroy" in the literal, game-definition sense. Brook Cunningham, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 3 Feb 2025
• Q: When the rulings were still happening over an l5r email list, I convinced the designers to allow my abuse of the foo rule. I was using "scout" in a Naga deck, and would be able to drop a night battle or deadly ground before the battle at every single province. It took many years before they declared that stuff to only apply to cards self-referentially.
  A: when the rulings were still happening by mailing list, I asked a question about Garrison that literally got it MRP'ed to work the way I had asked about (back in the day when "bringing a unit into the battle" was always Absent by default) Jeff Williamson, "Oracle of the Void #rules", 25 Sep 2024
• Q: Interesting. So basically if a card "targets" my unit to perform it, it could be considered his action? Like a duel for example? But would still rule out terrains? E.g., deadly ground
  A: No Well, it depends on the edition. The rules for performing pre-Emperor were somewhat woolly.
  IIRC, pre-Emperor, if an ability on card not in a unit targets your Personality or Follower in the constraints block (ie, the bit between the bold-face colon and the second colon, if there is one), then it's performed by that Personality or Follower. That only applies to sets beginning with Dawn of the Empire, which is when the constraints block was introduced. Alex Jones, "Oracle of the Void #rules", 29 Mar 2021