By Proclamation of the Rules Team

We are on the verge of a new set, a new gaming environment, and an array of new strategies and tactics as we await the arrival of Revolution 3: Judgment Day. Besides the new Superstars and Extremists, there are two new types of cards. In addition, recent information has been updated in the OmniFAQ. By way of explanation, here are the important points contained in the official documentation of the rules of Raw Deal.

BACK BODY DROP (Throwback)

There has been some concern about abuse of this card regarding recycling combinations, so a decision has been made for the benefit of the game. The Rules Team has issued errata to this card, so that effectively immediately, the third and final paragraph now reads: “When this card is in your Ringside pile, during your turn you may remove this card from the game and then put 1 Set-up card from your Ringside pile into your hand.”

This should allow the card to function as originally intended while preventing overuse and any potential abuse. This change is due to response from the players regarding decks used in the most recent All Axxess World Championship Qualifier. The Rules Team examined at the scenario, listened to our players, and altered the situation. The combination of cards seeing a strong showing at GenCon and Origins this year was beatable, and there are already ways and means in the game to deal with it, but instead of creating a ‘negative play experience,’ the decision was made to make an alteration for a better Raw Deal experience.

OPTIONAL EFFECTS

By now it is well known that you cannot use an optional effect -- something that does not happen when a card is played -- with ‘you may (do something) and then (do another thing)’ text unless you can pay the full cost. For example, Shoot Headlock says you may discard 2 cards to put it in your hand. This cannot be done if there is only one (or no) card in your hand. The same applies to the effect of the card.

Chicago Street Fight says you may discard one card and then put a Foreign Object card in your hand. This effect cannot be used if there are no Foreign Object cards in the Ringside. The same is true for Thrust Knee Lift, which can be put at the bottom of your Arsenal from your Ringside, and then you remove two random cards in your opponent’s Ringside from the game. If the opponent does not have two cards to remove, this effect cannot be used.

CORNERS

Revolution 3 brings Corner cards, where you can pack and play cards from another Superstar. But as the text states, you must have the ‘…Is In My Corner’ card in your Ring, or those cards gain a Requirement they cannot fulfill, and they cannot be used.

The cards packed are Superstar-specific, which means they can override Superstar-specific restrictions. For example, Lita cannot normally pack Grapples of 4D or greater due to her ability; but just as she can pack Lita’s DDT because it is Superstar-specific, she could also pack Batista’s Spinebuster if Batista Is In My Corner is packed.

However, the cards packed cannot override the rules of the game. You cannot pack Raw and Smackdown cards together, nor can you pack Fan Favorite and Cheater cards. Also, female superstars cannot pack Multi Maneuvers like Unleashed Bomb.

FACTIONS

Now your Superstar can join a group, whether it is the ECW Originals or just one of Tomorrow’s WWE Legends, he’ll reap the rewards! You are not limited to packing or playing only one Faction (unlike Corners), and once you have the Faction card, you’ll need only one more card with a ‘Member’ logo before reaping the extra benefit of the cards that go with that Faction.

All of the Faction cards have the text “You may pack this card regardless of your Superstar.” Since it has Superstar-logos, it is ‘superstar-specific’ and can get around Superstar-specific restrictions and can be packed by Test and Andre the Giant. However, Andre can only pack (up to) the 5 Faction cards in his Backlash deck. Also, Test can pack 2 of any Faction (since they are Unique), but he cannot pack more than 10 Pre-match cards in his Backlash deck.

BEGINNING THE GAME

Normally the first turn of the game is determined by checking Superstar Values. However, there are several effects that can override this check, such as Edge’s Superstar Ability or cards like ECW Originals. How would you then determine who goes first?

The first turn of the game is an effect that can be claimed by various cards, but it can be claimed by an opponent instead. For example, if you play Revolution ECW Originals to claim the first turn, but your opponent then plays the same card, he has now claimed the first turn. This applies to other cards, such as Bagpipe Introduction and Revolution Your Chance In the Limelight (though this card grants the ability to your opponent instead).

Edge (and the Edge Enforcer) have this effect as well, but much like Stephanie McMahon or Bobby Heenan, his effect of taking the first turn takes place before the start of the Pre-match phase. So if Edge’s opponent drops ECW Originals, Edge will no longer get the first turn of the game.

IN CONCLUSION

It is the certain hope that all who play Raw Deal in the coming months, whether it is the veterans using their ample collections in All Axxess games, or the newcomers playing the Revolution format, that everyone will enjoy the game with the arrival of Revolution 3: Judgment Day. Coming soon to your area!