diff --git a/effect.go b/effect.go
index 0ce51e3..19fdd3a 100644
--- a/effect.go
+++ b/effect.go
@@ -29,8 +29,13 @@ func AddEffect(c *Card, e *Effect) {
 		//can't apply effect to empty card
 		return
 	}
+	if e.Target == uuid.Nil {
+		log.Println("trying to apply targeted effect before target set")
+		return
+	}
 	if c.Position < 0 || c.Position > 3 {
 		log.Println("trying to apply effect to card not on the board")
+		return
 	}
 	for _, v := range c.Effects {
 		if v.Owner == e.Owner && v.ID == e.ID && v.Target == e.Target {
diff --git a/util.go b/util.go
index 2adec51..40df812 100644
--- a/util.go
+++ b/util.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package tome_lib
 
 type GameStatus int
+type TargetStatus int
 
 const (
 	StatusLobby = iota
@@ -12,6 +13,14 @@ const (
 	StatusDraw
 )
 
+const (
+	TargetSelf = iota
+	TargetOwn
+	TargetOpp
+	TargetAny
+	TargetNone
+)
+
 const (
 	SentinalID = 1
 	ScourgeID  = 2