Kabutops AR-004 vs. Dialga [G] (Please help, Pokemon Professors!)

[waterfox17]

I noticed that in the Card of the Day thread, people referred to Dialga [G] as being a threatening counter to Kabutops.

Dialga [G]'s first attack reads: "Deafen: Your opponent can't PLAY any Trainer cards or Stadium Cards from his or her hand during their next turn."

Kabutops's first attack reads: "Primal Scythe: You may DISCARD Helix Fossil, Dome Fossil, or Old Amber from your hand. If you do, this attack does 20 damage plus 50 more damage."


If your opponent uses Deafen, I can only assume that people infer that Primal Scythe's extra 50 damage is void because of the trainer ban.

But my qualm is with the words "PLAY" on Dialga [G]'s description, and "DISCARD" on Kabutops's description.

Does it count as PLAYING the card if you discard it, since it's not for the Trainer's described effect, but as a condition of Kabutops's attack?


Can any pokemon professors shed light on this? If there are any rulebook or official statements for a ruling, I'd love a reference.

[Box of Fail]

You are correct. I'm not a professor, but Primal Scythe could still be used, and you could still discard the fossil for the 50 extra damage.

[prodigal_fanboy]

You may discard them, to my knowledge. I'm rather confident though. You aren't playing the Fossil you discard from your hand, you are discarding it.

In play and the discard pile are two distinct regions, and since there is no intermediary stop to "in-play" for the discard fossils, pitch away.

[mew2057]

I think the main problem with Kabutops is the fact that he evolves from a fossil, which is a trainer, which can mess things up. However, if you design the deck well enough this shouldn't be an issue.

[Sandslash7]

^mew has the right idea.

Dialga G stops the player from placing fossils on their bench, stalling any build-up of Kabutops'. It does NOT stop the discard from the attack.

Mainly, if one doesn't start with a Dome Fossil (52% of the time if you play 4), then Dialga G T1 Deafens and now you have no way to bring your main attacker out.

[waterfox17]

Thanks for the clarifications, everyone.


I appreciate it. ^^