AY

A Special of this type modifies the actual Power Grid of the Character, and not the Power cards or Special cards that the Character might play. For example, a Character with an Energy skill level of 6 (as shown on their "Character Card") can play Energy Power card level 1 through 6. After playing a Special that reads "{ Character's } Energy skill increases to 8 for remainder of Battle," that Character could play Energy Power cards ranging from 1 to 8. The number on the Power card remains the same. Specials of this type can be played offensively and defensively. They may be played in combination with a Power card to make a higher level attack or defensively with a Power card, as a reaction to an attack in an effort to raise a Character's skill levels so that they may attempt a defensive action.

If the Special indicates that the bonus is in response to defending a certain type of attack, then the card may only be played defensively, as an avoid and the bonus to the skill follows.

In the event you have this Special either placed or in your hand, during the draw phase, if you draw a Power card that would otherwise be unusable by your Characters but can be used if this Special is played you do not have to discard it as unusable.

When played offensively, this Special cannot be played on the same turn along with a Universe card. When played defensively, it may be played with a Universe card.

This Special may not be played defensively if it is not essential to the defensive move (ie.raising one's fighting skill to 8 while blocking with a 3 strength).

Meta Rules
Meta #10 If a Special indicates a specific type of "attack" (such as "Fighting attack") then any attack can be made by the Character provided it falls into the legal types of attacks that can be made by the Character and that the attack is made as the specific type.

Meta #23 If the text of a Special begins with "Avoid 1 attack" or a similar phrase, then it may only be played defensively and only against the specified type of attack.

Meta #35 Specials which grant bonuses/abilities to the playing Character (or the playing Character's team) that can be played offensively can be played along with an attack. The attack may not be made with a Universe card of any kind (although the Special and attack may be made as a follow-up to an Ally attack). In the event that the attack is defended, the bonus/ability would be defended as well and would not take place. The attack may be defended by defendeding the numeric attack or the Special granting the bonus/ability.

Meta #54 Specials which grant bonuses/abilities/grid changes may only be played defensively if it is necessary to do so in order to defend.

Meta #90 Specials which alter a Character's abilities/skills that have a lasting duration are discarded when the Character is K.O.'d. Should the Character be resurrected or brought back into play later in the game, the discarded Special would not be in effect. Specials with a lasting duration that do not alter a Character (but affect the opponent or a teammate(s), etc.) remain in play after the Character playing the Special has been K.O.'d.