Hunters' Circle

Q: #RiftboundQOTD: I play Baron Nashor and select [Hunting Circle] as my location to play. The Baron Pit does not exist yet. Can I give my Baron a discount?

A: Love these kinds of questions, because it's an opportunity to inform folks the technical steps behind basic things (which exist in nearly all TCGs, if you delve into their Comprehensive Rules). Below is my assessment (again, trying to hide as much of my response behind Show More): . . . . . . . .

The answer lies inside the steps of playing a card. Keep in mind that Units and Gear DO use the chain - they just do not linger, and resolve as soon as they finalize (which is why there is not priority window to react to them being played).

Here are the steps to playing a card:

1. Move card from current zone to the Chain (as a pending item)

2. Make Relevant choices

3. Determine total cost

4. Pay costs

5. Check Legality

6. Finalize the card

So the answer, assuming you control Hunting Circle (since it needs to be a legal initial location to play Baron to), is Yes - you can give Baron a 1e Discount.

When playing Baron, you declare the play location as Hunting Circle (step 2 of playing against card). In step 3, Baron's cost is reduced by 1e due to Hunting Circle being the chosen play location.

Finally, move to step 6 - where, because Baron is a unit, Baron will resolve. However, because Baron Pit is not on the board, Baron's play location will be replaced (in step 6) to Baron Pit - and Baron is played to Baron Pit (but cost was already reduced to be 9e3p).