# Frequently Asked Questions

## What is the syntax of `effect` templates?

Most endpoints which return card and edition `effect` values include three related properties:

* `effect` stores an *effect template*
* `effect_raw` is a plain text representation of the template
* `effect_html` (deprecated) is a HTML representation of the template

Effect templates are a markdown-inspired format which help provide the building blocks matching how edition effects are printed.

The below table lists the various syntax elements:

<table><thead><tr><th width="230">Template syntax</th><th width="170">Description</th><th width="164">Plaintext example</th><th>Formatted example</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>regular text</code></td><td>Regular text with no formatting applied.</td><td><code>regular text</code></td><td><img src="/files/k4RReZwtgMHZvw8iCK8t" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>**bold text**</code></td><td>Regular text with bold formatting.</td><td><code>bold text</code></td><td><img src="/files/RUzOoOvyHz3B8EEb2Ncy" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>*italic text*</code></td><td>Regular text with italic formatting.</td><td><code>italic text</code></td><td><img src="/files/hZDXZ9krnHT5Hhf1HHc5" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>[bubble text]</code></td><td>White text inside a rounded black effect bubble.</td><td><code>[bubble text]</code></td><td><img src="/files/JSgpXHgQ1shtlHh0xF7l" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>CARDNAME</code></td><td>The name of the card using the effect, excluding commas and anything after the first comma.</td><td><code>Lost Spirit</code></td><td><img src="/files/7Li09Fi3Kr5p5FaRX3e5" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>[LIFE]</code></td><td>The life effect icon.</td><td><code>LIFE</code></td><td><img src="/files/4llEXbHINGTEsiuzeDgJ" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>[POWER]</code></td><td>The power effect icon.</td><td><code>POWER</code></td><td><img src="/files/3Jp0XeaGFqXd0Ldldz7l" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>[REST]</code></td><td>The rest effect icon.</td><td><code>REST</code></td><td><img src="/files/Aw4WuxlxatPhyZSNr8Aa" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>(99) (LV>1) (X+Y)</code></td><td>A cost to be paid.</td><td><code>(99) (LV>1) (X+Y)</code></td><td><img src="/files/xTXlZAaKhfz3RoOQtGr3" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>%error%correction%</code></td><td>Corrected text (API-exclusive).</td><td><code>correction</code></td><td><img src="/files/7k6MQgNpFcCIOGMOpTBl" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>%redaction%%</code></td><td>Redacted text with no correction (API-exclusive).</td><td></td><td><img src="/files/MLXfQB08pRYVGpm24O7D" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr><tr><td><code>%%addition%</code></td><td>Added text with no redaction (API-exclusive).</td><td><code>addition</code></td><td><img src="/files/yybGhkup5zYtEhCOBSzm" alt="" data-size="original"></td></tr></tbody></table>

As a simple example, this is Spirit Shard's printed effect text:

<figure><img src="/files/QDDPwLH6yuYHXdOo9KKT" alt=""><figcaption><p>Spirit Shard's printed effect text</p></figcaption></figure>

It contains bubble text, bold text, and regular text.

Here is how the API returns this value:

```json
{
  "effect": "[Level 3+] **Sacrifice CARDNAME**: Draw a card.",
  "effect_raw": "[Level 3+] Sacrifice Spirit Shard: Draw a card.",
  "effect_html": "<span class=\"effect__bubble\">Level 3+</span>  <span class=\"effect__label\">Sacrifice Spirit Shard</span>: Draw a card."
}
```

## What is the difference between `circulations` and `circulationTemplates`?

Circulations contain information about how specific editions have been printed.

When editions share identical print runs to others they will be assigned `circulationTemplates`, whilst editions that have a more unique print run will be assigned their own `circulations` instead.

Circulations are described by their `kind` value (e.g. `"FOIL"` or `"NONFOIL"`).

An edition can contain one or more circulations across both the `circulations` and `circulationTemplates` lists, or it may have no circulation information at all.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
An edition could have a `"FOIL"` entry in its `circulations` list and a `"NONFOIL"` entry in its `circulationTemplates` list, or it could have both `"FOIL"` and `"NONFOIL"` in one of those lists.

&#x20;The `kind` values are both unique and mutually exclusive, meaning these combined lists will never contain more than one of a given circulation type.
{% endhint %}

## How do `cost_memory` and `cost_reserve` work?

The `cost_memory` and `cost_reserve` values reveal how a card is played.

{% content-ref url="/spaces/n9JVmMhIsFO8d99Lam5B/pages/CyoJDb4h4LRQYXa985ky" %}
[Parts of a Card - Cost](https://rules.gatcg.com/general-rules/general-rules-parts-of-a-card/parts-of-a-card-cost)
{% endcontent-ref %}

The cost properties are mutually exclusive - a card cannot have both `cost_memory` and `cost_reserve` - at least one of those will always be `null`.

Cards can also exist with no cost, such as those with the Mastery type. In those cases, both `cost_memory` and `cost_reserve` will be `null`.

Despite being numeric properties, cards also exist with non-numeric costs. Please refer to the table below for how these costs are mapped:

| Cost value     | Description                   |
| -------------- | ----------------------------- |
| `0` or greater | A regular numeric cost value. |
| `-1`           | A cost of "X"                 |

## Why do cards and editions have their own `effect` properties?

The `effect` value assigned to a card is the default value shared by all of its child editions.

The `effect` value assigned to an edition is unique to that edition.

To determine an edition's effect value, first look at its `effect` property and if it is `null` fall back to the parent card's `effect` property.

Sometimes effects need correcting after editions have been printed. In these cases, the edition's `effect` value will highlight what has changed, whilst the card's `effect` value will return the intended value with the correction already applied.


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