Trap rewording

I've used a deck that centers around it and features some 10 copies of trap. During a the years I didn't have problem using it or counting the pressed (visually with fingers) but plenty of people were unclear how it worked during those games.

To some smartasses certain wordings might be crystal clear but often Joe Average, let alone Joe Sub-Average or José Promedio who isn't that fluent in english, will have a trckload of problems with such cards. Therefore adding some certain phrases to make it absolutely clear how a card works is not a bad thing if the card has room for extra text.

Bloodartist wrote:

I am not convinced that said people understand english. I know Lönkka doesn't speak it as native language. Not sure about others.

A reminder of the forum guidelines:

Forum wrote:

English is the main language of the forums (but we do have a Spanish subsection). However, not everyone is a native English speaker, so:
• Write easy to understand English
• Do not correct others for their English

Make sure this doesn't get out of hand, everyone.

Bloodartist wrote:

I am not convinced that said people understand english. I know Lönkka doesn't speak it as native language. Not sure about others.

I am one of the people who read the current language and interpreted multiple possible meanings. Not only am I a native English speaker, I'm also an editor. So I am reading the current text with my editor hat on, and, again, I see multiple possible interpretations. My proposed wording is to ensure only the correct meaning can be interpreted to the extent possible. In my experience, extra clarity is not a bad thing, even if it means adding a few extra words.

TwoRazorReign wrote:

Bloodartist wrote:

I am not convinced that said people understand english. I know Lönkka doesn't speak it as native language. Not sure about others.

I am one of the people who read the current language and interpreted multiple possible meanings. Not only am I a native English speaker, I'm also an editor. So I am reading the current text with my editor hat on, and, again, I see multiple possible interpretations. My proposed wording is to ensure only the correct meaning can be interpreted to the extent possible. In my experience, extra clarity is not a bad thing, even if it means adding a few extra words.

As an experiment, once Black Chantry decides on a new wording, I may run the thing by multiple people who speak English as a second (or third, or 5th) language and compare it to a group of people who speak English as a primary language.
The catch will be that it will be people of varying ages who are probably unfamiliar with TCGs as a whole. (Which will require some non-trap dry runs of basic strikes and presses.)
My hypothesis is that native English speakers will get caught up skimming words, which will put them in roughly the same place as people with less grasp on written English who therefore have to put more thought into how something is worded.
What I for sure will not do is use current wording Trap, because I'll spend more time explaining it than conducting any sort of anything.

ReverendRevolver wrote:

As an experiment, once Black Chantry decides on a new wording, I may run the thing by multiple people who speak English as a second (or third, or 5th) language and compare it to a group of people who speak English as a primary language.
The catch will be that it will be people of varying ages who are probably unfamiliar with TCGs as a whole. (Which will require some non-trap dry runs of basic strikes and presses.)
My hypothesis is that native English speakers will get caught up skimming words, which will put them in roughly the same place as people with less grasp on written English who therefore have to put more thought into how something is worded.

I think the opposite will happen: both groups will read the card very, very closely and may interpret things that seem out of left field but are really just a product of overthinking things. For example, "I can't put any counters on the card because there is already 3 counters, so I can't do what the card says. Does the press still happen?" If you see the myriad rules questions on this website, most are a product of overthinking and interpreting things that are false. This tends to happen more with text that is unclear, but still happens even if the text is very clear. It's obviously prudent to ensure the text is as clear as possible to reduce the amount of misinterpretations. It's not really a function of one's English skills (although that does play a role), it's more about human behavior.

TryDeflectingThisGrapple wrote:

Each time a card is played this combat, add counters to this card until it has 3 counters.
I like "when a card is played during this combat" for this line, because I think "when" is more consistent with existing templates than "each time."

So, the existing templates are being changed for a reason. "When a card is played during this combat" can be interpreted as "The first time a card is played during this combat," or "during X, do Y." Having "each time" instead of "when" clarifies adding counters happens each time a card is played.

People are already misinterpreting a "during X, do Y" template being used in the updated text (that template really, really needs a better explanation in the rulebook, but that's another post for another time), and having "when" there may further perpetuate (falsely) that such a template was used.



Modedit\\ Please do not double post. Add separate quotes into the same post.