Official Rulings - September 17, 2003
Section 3: Specific Cards - S

Q. I wanted to clarify SEAT OF POWER - a piece which starts on the SEAT OF POWER may move like a Queen and make a capture, correct?

A. I'm not sure how this clarifies the text on the card, but yes, if a Queen on the space could make a capture, then a piece on the SEAT OF POWER can make the same capture, because it can move like the Queen.

Q. If a PALADIN finishes its first of two jumps on a SEAT OF POWER (or HOLY GROUND), may it then, on its second jump, move like a Queen (or Bishop)?

A. No. SEAT OF POWER affects moves, not jumps. But, for instance, a Rook that had moved onto the SEAT OF POWER and then had MERCILESS played on it could make its second move as a Queen.

Q. Normally in Chess, you cannot promote a Pawn to a King. But with the SPECIAL PROMOTION card, can I promote a Pawn to a WARLORD?

A. No, Pawns may not promote to a King or a Transformed Piece based on a King.
(In the errata: http://www.sjgames.com/knightmare/errata.html )

Q. Can a PACIFIST piece be captured by FIREBALL, HOSTAGE, REVENGE, TOLL, DOOMSAYER or SPLIT KNIGHT? Can it be killed (made Dead) by BETRAYAL or DISINTEGRATION?

A. It is not subject to any of the listed capture effects (and cannot itself explode to trigger FIREBALL). It also does not threaten any pieces, so it could not use SPLIT KNIGHT. It may become Dead because of BETRAYAL or DISINTEGRATION.

Q. During a TRUCE, can a piece be captured by FIREBALL, HOSTAGE, REVENGE, TOLL, DOOMSAYER or SPLIT KNIGHT? Can it be killed (made Dead) by BETRAYAL or DISINTEGRATION?

A. Pieces are not subject to any of the listed capture effects during a TRUCE (and none may explode to trigger FIREBALL). They also do not threaten any pieces, so none could use SPLIT KNIGHT. They may become Dead because of BETRAYAL or DISINTEGRATION.

Q. Can SPLIT KNIGHT be played on a PALADIN?

A. SPLIT KNIGHT can be played on a PALADIN, this is definitely a legal play. These combinations of cards can be quite devastating; don't be surprised when your opponent cancels the card or your move...

Q. My King captured a Bishop, and I want to play SPOILS OF WAR. I figure my King certainly can't change into a Bishop without still being a King, so is this not allowed, or would it is and my King would become a King that looks and moves like a Bishop?

A. You're right, the King can't change into a Bishop without still being King, because that would be a violation of the Checkmate Rule. SPOILS OF WAR, however, tries to change it into a Bishop and cause it to cease being King, so the proper conclusion is "... so therefore I cannot play SPOILS OF WAR when making a capture with my only King."

However, in the event you have two (or more) Kings, this is definitely legal.

Q. SURROUNDED states "Replace it with the same piece of your color." Can you use this card if you don't have a captured piece of that type?

A. Yes, because it does not say "with a captured piece". Take one from another set, make one out of clay, or use a proxy.

Q. If my opponent plays MEDUSA on one of my last pawns, then on my turn I play SURVIVORS' REWARD, which immediatley promotes both pieces, does MEDUSA's effect stay with the promoted piece?

A. MEDUSA's effect does stay with a piece through promotion as long as the Pawn is promoted to something other than a Queen. If the Pawn is promoted to a Queen, MEDUSA's effect is suspended, since its initial conditions are no longer met. Since SURVIVORS' REWARD cannot promote to Queens, MEDUSA would still affect the Pawn in this case.