I have a slight question about this power.

FEAR: MASTER: Sinestro can use Perplex, but only to decrease combat values. When he does, he modifies all combat values on the target by -1, or all by -2 if the target has two action tokens.


This power does not say "Instead of" or anything like that. So is the minus one to everything on top of the normal perplex? Or does this replace the normal perplex?

He doesn't really have "normal" perplex, he can only decrease combat values. It's -1 to all (or -2 if they have 2 action tokens) that's it.

Just wanted a second opinion. It doesn't clarify either "INSTEAD OF" or "IN ADDITION TO."

I think the phrase you are missing is "but only..."

That eliminates the need for either of those.

That's not the issue though since is says "but only to decrease". NOT "but only to decrease all values by minus one.

I don't understand what you are getting at. It can't say "but only to decrease all values by minus one." because that's not how the power works.

It's like this:

Can this character use Perplex?

Sinestro can use Perplex...

Ok, yes. However, it's conditional because:

but only to decrease combat values.

Ok, we now know Sinestro can use Perplex, but only to decrease combat values. Are there any other conditions? Let's see.

When he does, he modifies all combat values on the target by -1, or all by -2 if the target has two action tokens.

Ok, so when he uses his Perplex which has already been defined as only being able to decrease combat values, he will either modify all values by -1 or -2 if they are double tokened.

I'm not seeing a lot of room for confusion here. Not trying to be snide, just saying.

I was merely saying that words "but only" were not the words that made it confusing. I also stated that it DOES NOT say "but only to decrease all combat values by minus one" as I was using that as an example. And their is plenty of room for confusion. There are literally thousands of pieces in this game and as a result there are typos and mistakes made. That's why there are erratas and clarifications for everything. And the word "when" is not a replacement thing in this game. If I have a character that has a white power "When this character hits an opposing character, give that character an action token." The word "when" in that sentence does not state that the character does that in place of doing damage. It just happens as well. And I know very well that what the intent is but there are plenty of other pieces in this game that have loop holes and do more that what they are intended to do. I was merely wondering if this was one of those pieces. There is a difference in this game between what is "intended" and what "is".

Yeah, I'm not trying to argue with you Collin, there are definitely issues with lots of the powers out there, just not seeing any issue with this one. *shrug*

"Sinestro can use Perplex, but only to decrease all combat values by minus one." Would be TERRIBLE wording.
Decreasing ALL combat values isn't a normal function of Perplex, so that opens up all kinds of worms in terms of who can get affected, how long, etc.

Any additional wording that you'd try to add would NOT make the power any more clear than it already is. WK can really make a hash with the wording and intent of their powers sometimes, but this is not one of them.
Blackirishguilt's breakdown is spot on.
The uses of but only and when he does firmly establish how his power works.

Was just curious. Thought I'd be the first person to ask. Just wish I could ask an honest question on a forum specifically meant for asking questions without getting snooty remarks like "don't see a lot of room for confusion." Can kind of be an offensive statement, and can honestly be taken as an insult close to the word stupid. Just my opinion. But I digress. Thanks to all who answered my question.