Equipped vs in play vs in your hand

[brainstew232]

A friend and I were disputing what the differences were between equipped, in play, and in your hand.

I argued that equipped meant that an item was on the table, and facing straight, and that in play meant that a card/item was on the table but turned sideways to be used/switched in whenever you want (but not in combat). These items are "carried" but not "equipped." In your hand meant that it was just in your hand, and not in play.

He argued that equipped meant that a card was on the table, and that in play meant any card on the table or in your hand.

I am pretty sure that I am right, but I wanted to get an official ruling, mostly for "in your face" purposes, but also to put the issue to rest, lol.

[Andrew Hackard]

A card is "in play" if it is on the table. A permanent Item (and only a permanent Item) is "equipped" if if is currently giving you its effects -- as you said, meaning it's turned upright. One-shot Items may never be equipped.

Cards in your hand are not in play. They may only be targeted by Curses or Bad Stuff that specifically mention the cards in your hand.

So you're almost correct. The only thing you got wrong is that equipped Items are also in play.

[Grimstringer]

if a card says "item" does it affect only cards in front of you? or you can use/discard cards which are items from your hand?


like discard cards = hand or in play

discard item = only in play

do i get it right?

[Andrew Hackard]

Unless a card specifically talks about cards in your hand, it only means the cards you have in play. This includes Items.

[Grimstringer]

Originally Posted by Andrew Hackard

Unless a card specifically talks about cards in your hand, it only means the cards you have in play. This includes Items.

so thief can only discard cards from in play? wow we misplayed that

[brainstew232]

thank you for your speedy responses on both of my questions. +3 internet points.

[MunchkinMan]

Originally Posted by Grimstringer

so thief can only discard cards from in play? wow we misplayed that

No, the Thief can discard cards in play or from his hand in order to steal and backstab. What Andrew is talking about are Curses, Bad Stuff, and other card effects that would take specific card types from a player. For clarification, the rules say the following things:

Many cards add special rules, so in most cases when the rulesheet disagrees with a card, follow the card.

Cards in your hand are not in play. They don’t help you, but they can’t be taken away except by cards that specifically affect “your hand.”

Some Class abilities are powered by discards. You may discard any card, in play or in your hand, to power a special ability.

So, since the Thief doesn't contradict the 3rd rule I quoted, you can use hand cards and in-play cards to power its abilities. However, the Cleric's resurrection and the Wizard's charm spell both contradict that rule and require hand cards.