Festival / Tower - Rules Clarification

[johndavid]

According to the CAR, when placing a Festival (10th anniversary) tile, the active player may "return one of one’s own figures from the entire playing area to his or her supply." I would interpret that to include returning one of one's own followers currently atop a tower. However, in the Tower chapter, the CAR states that a follower atop a tower "remains on top of the tower until the end of the game and is not removed or returned to the player unless eaten by the dragon or captured by another tower." No mention of the Festival tiles.

Linkback: https://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=1252.0

[quevy]

This would be very useful, I place a follower on the tower to defend my complete element, then I remove my follower. Now the tower is ready to attack again my enemies.

[Carcking]

Good catch, but there are actually several such references in the CAR that would need such an update - a couple I am aware of are on page 16 regarding the Farmer and page 78 regarding the Barn.

There should probably be some broad generic phrase entered to indicate these figures remain on the board unless removed by certain other mechanics.

<blue dog>

[Paul]

Well, a playing area is an area you can play with or interact with.

Doesn't the Tower rule say that a meeple on top of a tower is off limits for rest of the duration of the game, hence it's not a play area.

 

[danisthirty]

Hi johndavid, and welcome to the forums! 

Great question! (and one to which I don't know the answer, but would probably lean towards allowing this unless there is a special rule that says you can't)

Well, a playing area is an area you can play with or interact with.

Doesn't the Tower rule say that a meeple on top of a tower is off limits for rest of the duration of the game, hence it's not a play area.

I suppose it would depend on your definition, but if you can capture a meeple from the top of a tower then I'd say the tower is still part of the play area.

[Paul]

Hi johndavid, and welcome to the forums! 

Great question! (and one to which I don't know the answer, but would probably lean towards allowing this unless there is a special rule that says you can't)

Well, a playing area is an area you can play with or interact with.

Doesn't the Tower rule say that a meeple on top of a tower is off limits for rest of the duration of the game, hence it's not a play area.

I suppose it would depend on your definition, but if you can capture a meeple from the top of a tower then I'd say the tower is still part of the play area.

True, forgot all about that. Clearly I need to read the rules again today!

[Paul]

I just reread the CAR again.

Under The Festival there is a sentence on its own stating that a captured follower with the Tower expansion may not be returned this way. I interpret this, as it is possible to return a figure from the top of the tower otherwise they would have mentioned this.

Because the rule says entire play area including the Count castle and Wheel of Fortune, it stands to reason that a follower on top of a Tower is removable using The Festival.

Update: But it wouldn't hurt getting a confirmation and then have CAR updated with this new info. 

[johndavid]

Thanks for all the responses. This could certainly make a Festival tile a more attractive draw!

[obervet]

Okay, the new CAR has been updated with footnotes in several places to reinforce that the Festival can be used to remove followers on towers, farmers, and barns.

[Carcking]

Okay, the new CAR has been updated with footnotes in several places to reinforce that the Festival can be used to remove followers on towers, farmers, and barns.

Thanks for the great work obervet!!