EM

These Specials act as a certain level # attack. If the attack is successful, your opponent must discard a card of their choice from their hand. The card is still discarded to the appropriate pile. Ignore this effect if opponent has no cards in hand.

Meta Rules
Meta #29 If a Special has the phrase "if successful", then the second aspect of the Special only takes place in the event that the initial attack is not defended. If the hit lands and is later negated, then the subsequent action is not negated if the result is no longer "on the table."

Meta #30 If a Special has the phrase "if successful", then the second aspect of the Special does not necessarily need to occur. It may not be possible to perform the secondary action. The secondary action may be specified as optional. However, if it is required and possible to perform the second action, it must be done.

Meta #122 If a Special has the phrase "if successful", and the secondary condition targets a Character, then the secondary condition only comes into effect if it is a Character which is targeted. If a Special or a Battlesite were targeted, then the secondary effect would not take place. If the secondary condition does not target a Character but affects the playing Character or the opponent, then the effect still comes into play.

Meta #143 Secondary effects to Specials which come into play if a hit is successful remain in play throughout the battle that the hit was scored, even if the hit was later moved on to permanent Record (mid-battle). Similarly, if a hit is brought up from Permanent Record to Current Battle, the secondary effect does not come into play since the hit was not scored this battle.