Knife in the Dark

Legend of the Five Rings card from Hidden City

Card Type

Strategy

Gold Cost

0

Keywords

Ninja, Political

Card Text

Open: Target a Ninja Personality: Give him the abilities, "Reaction: Any number of times per turn, but only once per action, before the effects of a Political action not performed by a Personality resolve: Negate those effects" and "Reaction: Any number of times per turn, but only once per action, before the effects of a Political action performed by a Personality resolve: This Personality challenges the performing Personality. He may refuse. If he did, or if he loses the duel, negate the action's effects. Destroy the duel's loser."

Focus Value

2

Legality

Rain of Blood (Diamond)

Deck

Fate

Printings

Rules Q&A

• Q: I'd just like to clarify that the Political Ninja Open action on the Hidden City card "Knife in the Dark" lasts until the end of the turn, just like all things that do not specify duration. There is a local player that is adamant that Knife in the Dark's open action is permanent, "because otherwise the card just plain sucks."
  A: You're right. It is an unspecified duration, so you only have the ability until the end of the turn.
  I will neither confirm nor deny the allegation of Knife in the Dark being a horrible card.
  ;-) Martin Lund, "Rules for 22 October 2004", 25 Oct 2004
• Q: 2) If I play Knife in the Dark on my Ninja and an opponent bows two Courtiers and a Meditation Chamber to gain two honor later in the turn, can I use the second reaction on Knife in the Dark to issue an unrefusable challenge to one of the two courtiers involved in the action? I would think so since the action on Meditation Chamber is Political, and the two Courtiers are involved in the action.
  A: Of course you can. That's why the Action grants the Ninja abilities rather than creates the effects itself - so you can use them when appropriate later in the turn. Yes, the political action is performed by the courtiers. They are bowing to pay the cost, and that's one of the qualifiers for "performing." Martin Lund, "Rules for 22-25 August 2004", 30 Aug 2004
• Q: Quick Question about a Knike in the Dark:
  It give the Ninja the abilities, but what is the duration?
  A: Unless otherwise stated, the duration is until the end of the turn. Martin Lund, "Rules for 7 May 2004", 9 May 2004