Understanding “Bury” in Smash Up: A Comprehensive Guide

Burying in Smash Up is a specific card mechanic that involves placing a card face-down on a designated base. The crucial aspect is that only the player who buried the card – its controller – can look at what card it is. The buried card remains hidden until it’s uncovered, at which point its ability is triggered. This mechanic introduces an element of hidden information and delayed effects, adding a layer of strategy and unpredictability to the game. Let’s delve deeper into this core mechanic and explore its implications within Smash Up.

How Burying Works in Practice

The process of burying a card is initiated by a specific card ability. When a card effect instructs you to “bury” a card, you take that card, place it face-down on the specified base, and only you can look at it. The card is effectively removed from your hand or the play area until its uncovering. It doesn’t count towards the limit of cards in play, and unless stated otherwise, it doesn’t add to the power on the base until it’s revealed.

The card remains buried until it’s “uncovered”. Uncovering happens when another card ability triggers. Once uncovered, the buried card is turned face-up and its ability is resolved immediately. After the resolution, the card functions as usual and remains in play unless another ability moves it. This makes buried cards a valuable tool for delaying powerful effects and creating surprise plays.

Strategic Use of Burying

Burying isn’t just a random action; it’s a strategic one. Players use the bury mechanic for a variety of purposes:

• Delaying Powerful Effects: If a card has an ability that you want to use at a crucial moment, burying it allows you to hold onto that power until the right opportunity arises.
• Creating Hidden Threats: A buried card can be a hidden threat that your opponents are unaware of, allowing you to surprise them when you uncover it.
• Managing Hand Limits: Burying cards can help manage your hand size, especially since Smash Up has a hand limit of 10 cards. By burying a card, you are removing it from the hand, without fully playing it.
• Triggering Synergies: Some cards may activate or be boosted by buried cards. Understanding these combos is critical to maximizing their effectiveness.

Burying and Its Impact on the Game

The “bury” mechanic is not just about the card you are burying. It has an impact on the tempo and strategy for all players involved. The hidden information element creates uncertainty and forces players to make educated guesses. It also provides a sense of excitement as a player can reveal a card at an opportune moment and swing the tide of a base conflict. Because a buried card is not in play or in your hand, you don’t have to discard it down if you’re above the hand limit, and opponents cannot destroy it since it is technically not on the board.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Burying in Smash Up

1. What happens if a buried card is destroyed before it is uncovered?

A buried card cannot be destroyed. The ‘destroy’ keyword only affects cards that are in play. A buried card is not considered in play, as it is face-down on a base. It will remain buried until uncovered.

2. Does a buried card count towards my hand limit?

No. Because a buried card is not in your hand or in play, it does not count towards your hand limit of 10 cards.

3. Can I look at my buried cards at any time?

Yes. While your buried cards are face-down, you, as their controller, can always look at them. This is a core part of the bury mechanic.

4. If multiple cards instruct me to bury, can I choose the order?

Yes. If multiple effects trigger at the same time and ask you to bury a card, you can choose the order in which you bury them, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

5. What happens when a base is scored with buried cards on it?

The buried cards remain on the base, unless specified otherwise. They do not count towards the power on the base and cannot be used until their controller uncovers them.

6. What is “uncovering” and how is it different from burying?

Uncovering is the act of turning a face-down buried card face-up, which triggers its ability. Burying is the act of placing a card face-down on a base. They are inverse actions, one being the action taken, while the other is the action of revealing that card.

7. Can other players see what my buried cards are?

No. Only the player who buried the card can see it. The cards remain hidden from other players until they are uncovered.

8. Can I use a buried card as a discard?

No. Unless explicitly stated in a card’s text, a buried card cannot be discarded and must be uncovered by some other game effect.

9. Can a buried card be stolen or controlled by another player?

No. Buried cards are protected from being controlled or stolen by other players, unless an ability states otherwise.

10. What if a card asks me to “bury” a card I do not have?

If an ability asks you to bury a card that you do not have in the specified location or type, you do not bury a card and the ability is resolved to the extent possible.

11. Are buried cards treated like they are in a player’s discard pile?

No. Buried cards are not considered to be in the player’s discard pile. They are on the base where they were buried until uncovered.

12. If I have a card that triggers when a card is revealed, does that trigger when a buried card is uncovered?

Yes. If your cards have an ability that triggers when a card is revealed, it will trigger when a buried card is uncovered.

13. If a card asks me to “discard” a card, can I “unbury” to accomplish this?

No. Discard requires the card to come from your hand. A buried card is not technically in your hand until it is uncovered and no ability has ever stated to unbury for the purpose of discarding.

14. If my faction’s card gives bonuses for having many cards, does a buried card count?

No. Unless otherwise stated, a buried card is neither in your hand, nor in play, so it will not contribute to these faction bonuses.

15. Can card abilities that affect cards in play, affect buried cards?

No. Buried cards are not considered to be “in play.” Therefore, unless the card states otherwise, card abilities that target cards “in play” will not affect buried cards.

By understanding the nuances of the “bury” mechanic, players can elevate their game and gain a significant strategic edge. The combination of delayed effects, hidden information, and strategic card placement makes burying a critical element of the Smash Up experience. This mechanic truly embodies the game’s theme of unexpected combos and unpredictable gameplay.