GrandmaJoner
Active Member
OK so I know that after both players draw their opening hands, they are required to only play ONE basic down, and then if their opponent plays a basic they can feel free to play more. However, I have never found a solution for the scenario I will explain here.
Say I have a hand of 7 cards with two different basics - let's assume one is a more aggressive opener and the other is a more passive opener, both with retreat cost (not super relevant). But I am missing one piece from my hand, that if I had I would be going with the aggressive starter 100% of the time. I know the piece I am missing is easily searchable and I have a decent chance of drawing it off the top of my deck, and if I get this piece and begin with my aggressive starter then I will put my opponent in a tough situation.
However, none of us has played a basic down yet. IF I KNOW, PRIOR TO PLAYING MY ACTIVE POKEMON that my opponent has a mulligan, I will be more inclined to go with the aggressive starter because I know I will get to draw at least one extra card. BUT, if I put my active Pokemon down prior to my opponent revealing the fact that he has a mulligan I may elect to go with the conservative active Pokemon.
My point is - this knowledge of whether he has a mulligan or not AFFECTS my decision to select an active Pokemon.
So the question becomes, who is obligated to act first? Does my opponent alert me that he has a mulligan prior to me playing me basic? Do I have to play a basic first prior to him letting me know he has a mulligan? I mean if he sits around waiting for me to play a basic for 30 minutes I could ASSUME he has a mulligan but he may not. IDK. I hope you guys understand the question here. I understand I must play my active Pokemon before my opponent REVEALS his hand, but whether he alerts me first or not is the question. I am not aware of any ruling here, and realize it often sort of gets left up to mind games if this situation occurs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Say I have a hand of 7 cards with two different basics - let's assume one is a more aggressive opener and the other is a more passive opener, both with retreat cost (not super relevant). But I am missing one piece from my hand, that if I had I would be going with the aggressive starter 100% of the time. I know the piece I am missing is easily searchable and I have a decent chance of drawing it off the top of my deck, and if I get this piece and begin with my aggressive starter then I will put my opponent in a tough situation.
However, none of us has played a basic down yet. IF I KNOW, PRIOR TO PLAYING MY ACTIVE POKEMON that my opponent has a mulligan, I will be more inclined to go with the aggressive starter because I know I will get to draw at least one extra card. BUT, if I put my active Pokemon down prior to my opponent revealing the fact that he has a mulligan I may elect to go with the conservative active Pokemon.
My point is - this knowledge of whether he has a mulligan or not AFFECTS my decision to select an active Pokemon.
So the question becomes, who is obligated to act first? Does my opponent alert me that he has a mulligan prior to me playing me basic? Do I have to play a basic first prior to him letting me know he has a mulligan? I mean if he sits around waiting for me to play a basic for 30 minutes I could ASSUME he has a mulligan but he may not. IDK. I hope you guys understand the question here. I understand I must play my active Pokemon before my opponent REVEALS his hand, but whether he alerts me first or not is the question. I am not aware of any ruling here, and realize it often sort of gets left up to mind games if this situation occurs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
