Council of Elrond

Is it from Balrog big manual (I have access only to the Balrog booklet)?

If it is actually the most recent rule, then this means the change of paradigm.

From:
"Cards placed off to the side are [always] in play for the purposes of uniqueness."
to:
"Cards placed off to the side are only in play for the purposes of uniqueness."

"and is considered out of play" in text of Great Secrets Buried There may supersede both (unless "always" will be added to the first version).
But if according to some ICE's clarification the item placed with Great Secrets Buried There counts as being in play for purpose of uniqueness then the "and is considered out of play" is meaningless.

Konrad Klar wrote: ↑Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:27 am Is it from Balrog big manual (I have access only to the Balrog booklet)?

Yes,

Konrad Klar wrote: ↑Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:27 am If it is actually the most recent rule, then this means the change of paradigm.

From:
"Cards placed off to the side are [always] in play for the purposes of uniqueness."
to:
"Cards placed off to the side are only in play for the purposes of uniqueness."

"and is considered out of play" in text of Great Secrets Buried There may supersede both (unless "always" will be added to the first version).
But if according to some ICE's clarification the item placed with Great Secrets Buried There counts as being in play for purpose of uniqueness then the "and is considered out of play" is meaningless.

There's no change of paradigm. The MEDM rules changed nothing in the game. Then GSTB was clarified. Then the Balrog rules changed nothing in the game from there.

The history of rulings here is minimal compared to many other topics. This is comparatively simple.
Much of the confusion on MECCG rules comes from not following the history of the rulings.