[GooeyChewie]

Newb question: can someone explain mechanically why Ushaan stops a play of AWC? The glossary entry for "cannot / may not" sounds like it might allow it in a common language sense (the text of AWC contradicts Ushaan's limiting text).

cannot / may not – Game text which specifically forbids an action cannot
be overridden except by game text which specified what forbidding text
is being overridden.

At What Cost? does not specifically say that it overrides Code of the Ushaan. AWC would need to say something along the lines of "regardless of effects which prevent you from spending additional counters" to override the Ritual.

For examples, see Javert and For the Cause, which both allow personnel to complete Region: Demilitarized Zone missions "regardless of effects preventing personnel (or ships those personnel are aboard)" to override the text on Evacuate Colony, Intercept Maquis, and Investigate Maquis Activity.


EDIT: One minor detail, Code of the Ushaan prevents you from spending additional counters, not from actually playing At What Cost?. If you've got some crazy plan where you want to lose the 5 points and get At What Cost? in your discard pile, even though you don't get anything for it, it's technically a legal play.

[Mogor]

Hmm earlier game way of ensuring you are in last place for dilemmas? guinan and then that and now other player is ahead for all those dilemmas? Feels like a MVB crazy thing