Rules questions

First, nice work to all involved with the new cards. They look great!

I have a few questions about new rules text and text on cards. First, the text on cards:

For Erlik, it says: “As Erlik enters play, you can distribute up to 5 blood from him to any of your uncontrolled Harbingers of Skulls.” Does “distribute” mean the same thing as “move,” only clarifying that any amount of the 5 blood can be moved among any amount of uncontrolled Harbingers of Skulls?

On Emerald Legionnaire, under the action/ally symbol, it says “Recruit Action.” I find it odd that it does not say “Recruit Ally Action.” If the idea of this text is to clarify what the symbols mean, then shouldn’t the word “Ally” be included, because the ally symbol is shown?

Last, the new rules text states, “This is reminded by the "(limited)" reminder.” I like the idea here that parenthetical text is used to clarify a limitation. But, I am puzzled by how this is worded.

First, I assume the word “reminder” is used to mean “reminder text.” The term “reminder text” is a Magic: The Gathering term, and is therefore jargon used among those involved with that game. If one does not play M:tG, or is new to collectible card games, they will not know what is meant by “reminder” in the rulebook. Thus, a new term requiring a definition is being added to the rulebook, but without a definition.

Second, “(limited)” is not a reminder, it is a key word. Key words have associated reminder text to clarify what the key word means, per the definition of reminder text here . So, if this really is a “reminder,” the text on the card should look something like “+1 bleed. Limited. (only one action modifier can be used to increase the bleed amount). (I am aware this is too wordy and not within the spirit of the new rule. Just illustrating my point that “reminder” is the wrong word to use).

Third, the subject in ““This is reminded by the "(limited)" reminder” does not appear to be the intended subject. For bleed modifiers, “this” refers to “A minion cannot use more than one action modifier card to increase a bleed during a bleed action.” So this sentence is saying “A minion not being able to use more than one action modifier card to increase a bleed during a bleed action is reminded by the "(limited)" reminder.” Unless “reminder” in this sentence has a meaning used by the designers that I am unaware of (which would be the jargon issue outlined above), then this sentence does not make sense. It’s the player who is being reminded, not the concept of one bleed modifier being used who is being reminded.

It’s probably best to not introduce the term “reminder” into VTES at all. Instead, perhaps the new text in the rulebook can say something like “This is indicated on the card by the word ‘(limited)’”?

TwoRazorReign wrote:

For Erlik, it says: “As Erlik enters play, you can distribute up to 5 blood from him to any of your uncontrolled Harbingers of Skulls.” Does “distribute” mean the same thing as “move,” only clarifying that any amount of the 5 blood can be moved among any amount of uncontrolled Harbingers of Skulls?

This is the same wording used by Great Symposium. Yes, the 5 blood can go to one uncontrolled vampire or split evenly or evenly amongst many vampires.

TwoRazorReign wrote:

On Emerald Legionnaire, under the action/ally symbol, it says “Recruit Action.” I find it odd that it does not say “Recruit Ally Action.” If the idea of this text is to clarify what the symbols mean, then shouldn’t the word “Ally” be included, because the ally symbol is shown?

Only allies can be recruited, the extra wording is redundant.

I'm assuming the lives of new players will be easier with the (limited) thing, since Leverage and Command the Beast are the exceptions, not the rule.

Also (limited) saves up space for additional text...

kschaefer wrote:

TwoRazorReign wrote:

On Emerald Legionnaire, under the action/ally symbol, it says “Recruit Action.” I find it odd that it does not say “Recruit Ally Action.” If the idea of this text is to clarify what the symbols mean, then shouldn’t the word “Ally” be included, because the ally symbol is shown?

Only allies can be recruited, the extra wording is redundant.

So why was the extra wording added? If it's redundant, it's not necessary to include it. Surely it's serving some purpose.