Balance in Nothingness

Legend of the Five Rings card from The Fall of Otosan Uchi, Twenty Festivals, Promotional–Twenty Festivals

Card Type

Strategy

Gold Cost

0

Card Text

Interrupt: After the action targets your bowed Personality, negate its remaining effects.

Focus Value

4

Legality

A Brother's Destiny (Twenty Festivals), Four Winds (Gold), Rain of Blood (Diamond), War of the Seals (Onyx Edition)

Deck

Fate

Printings

Rules Q&A

• Q: Balance in Nothingness: Reaction: Cancel an action or Event targeting one or more of your bowed Personalities.
  The Same Old Tricks: Reaction: Before the second or later time in one turn the same action on a target non-Formation card is used, cancel that action and permanently remove it from that card.
  Key is determining what "used" means.
  A: It means the same thing "taken" means. An action isn't used until it's legally declared and paid for. Which means Saori is bowed, which means Balance is legal. Martin Lund, "Rules for 11 January 2005", 14 Jan 2005
• Q: I disagree.
  The key word for SoT is BEFORE a action is used. Not used. So before you initiate the action is when you play SoT. You told me the essentially same thing when using Soshi Seika in removing the political trait after playing a political action to prevent it being Outmanuvered by Force. The same thing also applies to Imperial Messenger which reads:
  Imperial Messenger (U Holding [FOU] SG SD): 0G Imperial Retainer * Political Reaction: Bow before a player plays a card that will cause that player an Honor loss. The player may discard the card instead of playing it. If it is played, increase the Honor loss by the printed loss amount. *
  Since Saori is straight when she starts the action and you are going BACK in time to BEFORE the action is played, Balance shouldnt be able to be played because this should be BEFORE the personality is bowed.
  Team of One
  ps yes I know IM says Bow instead of Use, but I disagree that its the key here, BEFORE is the key.
  A: The use of "before" versus "after" doesn't change what the trigger is. The difference only helps determine when Reactions are announced relative to other Reactions with the same trigger. But even a Reaction "before X" will come after a Reaction "after W" when X comes after W.
  An action is neither "used" nor "taken" until it is fully announced, targeted, and paid for. (And from that point, if it's canceled, that status is lost.) Reactions "before an action is used" do not backtrack to an earlier stage.
  Soshi Seika and Imperial Messenger either do nothing, are retroactive, or to be thoroughly correct should react before a player "announces" the card/action rather than before playing/taking it. (Thank you, Spycraft.) The third is least disruptive. Just because they have to be retroactive or explained is not a reason to judge other cards differently than the standard I've described in the last two paragraphs.
  The Player Design Team is discussing redefining "before an action is taken" to "before an action is announced" and "after an action is taken" as "after an action resolves". On the one hand, it looks more intuitive at first glance. On the other, that's not what the cards actually say. Plus, this change would impact nearly all Reactions in the game to playing a card or taking an action. Martin Lund, "Rules for 11 January 2005", 14 Jan 2005
• Q: Can someone please help me out in fiding those sections?
  Normally, if an action card is canceled by another player's card effect, the action card does not go back into your hand. For instance, if I play a Kolat Assassin on your bowed Koto and you drop a Balance in Nothingness, I don't get the Kolat Assassin back to play again later.
  A: [MARTY] Yes. That's covered on page 72 of the Diamond Edition Rulebook under Canceling Actions and Negating Effects. Martin Lund, "Rules for 10 December 2004", 13 Dec 2004
• Q: When exactly is The Same Old Tricks played?
  The Same Old Tricks:
  Reaction: Before the second or later time in one turn the same action on a target non-Formation card is used, cancel that action and permanently remove it from that card.
  The question, I guess, is about the "used" word. Does the trigger happen before, or after costs are paid?
  In other words - if bowing the card is a cost of the action, can Balance in Nothingness be used to cancel The Same Old Tricks?
  A: It will get played as a "before" response to the Action being successfully taken - after all costs are paid, but before any effects resolve. Martin Lund, "Rules for 15 November 2004", 17 Nov 2004
• Q: My opponent tries to Overwhelm me. Can I choose to send two units home, and since I'll choose the bowed person, cancel it using Balance in Nothingness?
  A: Sure. You can freely make a valid decision, then modify its terms or cancel it with optional Reactions. Martin Lund, "Rules for 18-21 August 2004", 29 Aug 2004
• Q: Is the effect of attaching the Ruby XP (not allowing the personality to straighten) considered an action (because it's an action to play the Ruby) or not (because it's really just an effect of attachment?) Moreover, can I redirect the effect with Shiba Danjuro or cancel it with Balance in Nothingness?
  A: Targeting a bowed Personality, other than the one Ruby of Iuchiban is attached to, is an additional cost to play the Ruby.
  Keeping the Personality from straightening is an effect of the Ruby's Trait. It has nothing to do with the Action of attaching the Ruby.
  You normally couldn't redirect the effect with Danjuro, because he wouldn't be bowed when you announced his ability, thus an illegal target.
  You could redirect the targeting to another bowed Personality you control with say, Turn of Fortune.
  You could Cancel the action of attaching Ruby of Iuchiban XP. with Balance in Nothingness. The Ruby would be returned to the player's hand (Diamond Edition Rulebook, page 72). Martin Lund, "Rules for 22 June 2004", 25 Jun 2004
• Q: i'm almost positive that Balance in Nothingness could be used to cancel anything redirected to Shiba Danjuro through his own action. but i haven't seen or heard of anyone using it, which makes me suspicious.
  redirecting actions is a big deal, but canceling them is even better. it seems like a good combo.
  A: Oh great. Now you've got me paranoid.
  Unless I missed something obvious, that looks like a clean play. Martin Lund, "Rules for 21 June 2004", 25 Jun 2004
• Q: Would BiN negate DW? It calls for the straitening of all of your units including those who are restricted, which would make it an action which targets one or more of your bowed personalities.
  A: How do you figure? At what point does it target? It isn't like you get any choice about which cards unbow. It takes all of one group of cards. It does not target them because it does not make you choose between one thing and another.
  Read page 72 of the Diamond Edition Rulebook. Actions and Effect that can never make you choose don't target. Martin Lund, "Rules for 14 May 2004", 17 May 2004
• Q: Regardless, Keen Eye can negate the effect of Balance in Nothingness (provided that Jeff clears up his ruling to coincide with pp88 of the rulebook).
  A: I still don't see what this conflict is. Jeff Alexander, "rules for 26 Feb. 2004", 27 Feb 2004
• Q: For example: Player A plays Iaijutsu Challenge targeting a bowed personality. The game is placed on hold as Player B announces a reaction, namely Balance in Nothingness. Before BiN resolves (there's that pesky word again), the reaction to IC segment is placed on hold to allow for the reaction to BiN segment. Player A plays Keen Eye.
  A: Stop.
  Keen Eye is not allowed yet. There is no challenge underway.
  Remember the play sequence: announce action, pick targets, pay costs, resolve effects. Balance In Nothingness was played when Iaijutsu Challenge's target was chosen. [BiN card text] Jeff Alexander, "rules for 26 Feb. 2004", 27 Feb 2004
• Q: However, if I cancel such a Limited action with (Outmaneuvered by Force/The Time is Not Right/Balance in Nothingness/etc), does the action count as not having resolved, and thus my opponent's next attempt to target my Personalities will still be the "first time" that phase?
  A: The action did not resolve, was never even attempted (Diamond rules, pg. 72). Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 17 December 2003, Part 2", 18 Dec 2003
• Q: can Balance in Nothingness be played in response to an Ambush?
  A: Yes (card text). Zen Faulkes, "Rules for 3 December 2003, Part 2", 4 Dec 2003
• Q: So this just came up in a game...
  Bob the Shugenja tries to cast Importune Kami. Yogo Tjeki exp says "You me, fight now!". Bob's controller tries playing Balance in Nothingness. Does Tjeki get cancelled?
  A: Yes. Jeff Alexander, "post for 2 June 2003", 3 Jun 2003
• Q: following this rulling from jeff, when i target a personality with the TOTNK and he reacts with Balance in Nothingness, do i still have to bow my stronghold? or does the effect of BiN cancel the action before i have to pay any costs (bow TOTNK).....
  A: You cannot cancel an action before costs are paid -- before costs are paid, there is no action to cancel. The announced action must still be paid for. Jeff Alexander, "post for 20 May 2003", 21 May 2003
• Q: My opponent bows his Temple of the Ninth Kami and I challenge one of my opponents bowed Personalities he then plays Balance in Nothingness to cancel the action. Since the action was canceled and does not count as taken place do I get to challenge him again or is my Personality dishonored or since my Personality did challenge him nothing happens?
  A: Everything that the Temple's action has not yet done is prevented from happening. You are not dishonored, there is no challenge, you may not try to challenge again. Jeff Alexander, "post for 14 May 2003", 15 May 2003
• Q: 3. I target one of my opponents bowed Personalities with Kolat Assassin and they cancel it with Balance in Nothingness. Since Balance in Nothingness reads cancel an action targeting, it would be canceled as soon as I targeted but before I could pay the cost of 10 gold and the cost of losing honor?
  A: Sorry, costs are not refunded when an action is canceled. Yes, I see what you are saying, but it doesn't work that way. There is no action TO cancel if you haven't paid for it yet. (You would not lose 4 honor -- that is an effect, not a cost.) Jeff Alexander, "post for 14 May 2003", 15 May 2003
• Q: 4. I target one of my opponents bowed Personalities with Touch of Death and they cancel it with Balance in Nothingness. Since Balance in Nothingness reads cancel an action targeting, it would be canceled as soon as I targeted but before I could pay the cost of bowing my Shugenja and destroying the spell?
  A: See #3. Jeff Alexander, "post for 14 May 2003", 15 May 2003
• Q: If my opponent's Test of the Emerald Champion resolves, is it legal for me to target one of my bowed personalities to accept (as per Test of the Emerald Champion) and then cancel the event with Balance in Nothingness?
  A: Yes. Balance in Nothingness does not care which player made the decision to target your bowed Personality. It can cancel an action or Event that you aimed. Jeff Alexander, "post for 7 May 2003", 8 May 2003
• Q: Mirumoto Tsuge challenges a bowed Tadenori to a Iaijutsu Challenge, Balance in Nothingness is played. Does Tsuges player still draw a card?
  A: No. Balance in Nothingness cancels an action. [card text] The challenge never happens. Jeff Alexander, "post for 6 May 2003", 7 May 2003
• Q: I play Corruption's Price and target a bowed (non-Shadowlands) Personality. My opponent plays Balance in Nothingness. Does that cancel the destruction of the corrupt holding as well?
  A: Yes. Balance In Nothingness cancels Corruption's Price at the targeting step [card text], before it has produced any effects. Jeff Alexander, "post for 29 April 2003", 30 Apr 2003
• Q: Does Balance in Nothingness cancel A Matter of Pride if he has shadowlands personalities bowed? or Peasant revolt if he has a 3 Force personality bowed?
  A: No and no. Both of these Events have global effects. By the rulebook, they target nothing. Jeff Alexander, "post for 27 February 2003", 28 Feb 2003
• Q: Will Balance in Nothingness cancel Imperial Census, Peasant revolt or Stand against the Waves?
  Balance in nothingness reads...
  Reaction: Cancel an action or Event targeting one or more of your bowed Personalities.
  A: No, no, and no. Imperial Census and Peasant Revolt are entirely untargeted, and Stand Against the Waves does not target bowed Personalities. Jeff Alexander, "post for 18 February 2003", 19 Feb 2003
• Q: I was reading the card Balance in Nothingness, which reads "Reaction: Cancel an action or Event targeting one or more of your bowed Personalities", and I have a few questions concerning this card. 1) Could it stop a spell. It does not say action card so I would that that it would stop any action that would affect my bowed personalities. My reasoning for this is that useing a spell is an action (either open,limited,battle,reaction).
  A: Correct. "Action card" means Action card, but "action" means anything anywhere that starts with "Limited", "Open", "Battle", or "Reaction". Jeff Alexander, "post for 22 January 2003", 23 Jan 2003
• Q: No Personality or Follower that's over 2 Force when it tries to straighten can straighten if Peasant Revolt's full duration has not yet elapsed. It doesn't end until the beginning of the next turn of the player who resolved it. [card text]
  That's important: Peasant Revolt's "may not straighten" effect does NOT apply only to the cards it forced to bow when it first went off. It applies to anything that tries to straighten and has too much Force.
  Jeff does the card - Balance in Nothingness stop this from happening?
  A: No. Peasant Revolt is completely untargeted by targeting rule #3. Balance in Nothingness cannot react to it. Jeff Alexander, "post for 9 January 2002", 10 Jan 2003
• Q: Futhermore, I'm I still forced to play the cards (ie Ray of Hope) if the action's target becomes illegal by Shi-Ten Yen Wang Temple's reaction at the targeting phase?
  Quote:
  Although targeting occurs before costs are paid, if an action is canceled at the targeting step (e.g., Balance in Nothingness), all costs must still be paid, using any (and, if necessary, all) available sources that do not require actions or abilities to generate. Variable costs may be chosen based on the knowledge that the action has been canceled. [JA, 15 May 2003, 18 December 2003; ML, 21 September 2004]
  states that the costs must still be paid with available resources that DO NOT require actions (the Ray of Hope Reaction).
  A: You can decide not to use Reactions you haven't announced yet. Actions are always voluntary. Jeff Alexander, "Actions, Costs, and "Smart Card Rulings" pt 2", 17 Mar 2005
• Q: Quote:
  steve simons wrote:
  Opponent: 2 Larukos, one of them bowed
  Me: 2 tacticians, Rain of death. Target the unbowed laruko first and then the bowed one with the bow and destroy action on rain of death. Opponent: Plays balance in nothingness. Does the unbowed Laruko still die?
  The only one dying is your Tactician Personality. The whole action is canceled by Balance in Nothingness after Rain of Death targets. You must now pay the cost and destroying your Tactician Personality (Archive, General rules, Canceling).
  _________________
  Zen Faulkes! * Crab Clan Scholar * Unaligned Archivist
  I thought consecutive ranged attacks were targeted and resolved seperately, according to DE rulebook. If this is the case, wouldn't the unbowed personality be targeted and resolved before the 2nd, bowed laruko is targeted, and thus before balance in nothingness takes effect?
  A: Rain of Death has two abilities. I was answering the question about the second, which is not a Ranged Attack. Zen Faulkes, "consecutive ranged attacks and cancelling", 14 Mar 2005
• Q: Opponent: 2 Larukos, one of them bowed
  Me: 2 tacticians, Rain of death. Target the unbowed laruko first and then the bowed one with the bow and destroy action on rain of death. Opponent: Plays balance in nothingness. Does the unbowed Laruko still die?
  A: The only one dying is your Tactician Personality. The whole action is canceled by Balance in Nothingness after Rain of Death targets. You must now pay the cost and destroying your Tactician Personality (Archive, General rules, Canceling). Zen Faulkes, "Balance in Nothingness and Rain of Death", 12 Mar 2005
• Q: so scenerio. oponent fears my guy my guy bows i play balance in nothingness. then what happens?
  A: No
  Announce: Your opponent announces a Fear action. Costs: Your opponent pays any costs, if any. Interrupts: Beginning with the active player, you can both play Interrupts, such as Balance in Nothingness and Okura is Released.
  Hm. Link?
  Ok. Alex Jones, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 14 Nov 2023
• Q: would balance in nothingness stop okura is released?
  A: No. Alex Jones, "Sun and Moon #rules-questions", 14 Nov 2023