Hidden Strength - Can you prevent damage that wasn't dealt?

Hey guys,

I'm trying to figure something out with a ranged combat deck.
1. Can you use the press from Hidden Strength even if you didn't take any damage?
2. Can you play a bunch of damage prevention cards (in excess of the damage dealt) just to get them out of your hand?

You'd think I'd be able to find an answer to this on the magical internet, but not so much.

1. No, you can't. The opposing minion needs to inflict at least one damage.
LSJ-20030121
2. Same here. The opposing minion needs to inflict damage.

The same principal exists as for stealth/intercept. You can't play them when they're not needed.

Another case:
Watenda with 3 blood hit Owain Evans (with 8 blood) for one agg with an ivory bow. Can Owen play hidden strength with X=4 to prevent watenda to cancel the card?

Ankha wrote:

derjudge wrote:

Another case:
Watenda with 3 blood hit Owain Evans (with 8 blood) for one agg with an ivory bow. Can Owen play hidden strength with X=4 to prevent watenda to cancel the card?

Sure. You can prevent more than needed (as long as there's some damage to prevent).
Otherwise, you won't be able to prevent a hand strike for 1 with a Soak (that prevents 2 damage at inferior).

Correct.