diff --git a/public/i18n/en.json b/public/i18n/en.json
index 2c5022a6..d63f297a 100644
--- a/public/i18n/en.json
+++ b/public/i18n/en.json
@@ -836,6 +836,8 @@
   "终极": "Ultimate",
   "rounds::回合": "Rounds",
   "{who}：获得{name}": "{who}: obtained {name}",
+  "{who}：卡池中已没有{name}": "{who}: no {name} left in the shared pool",
+  "{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员": "{who}: no Operator of the same Alliance can be obtained",
   "获得{name}": "Obtained {name}",
   "联防阶段：{names} 迎战突破防线的敌人": "Unite Phase: {names} take on the enemies that broke through",
   "地形变化：{names}无法停留在原位置，已撤回整备区": "Terrain change: {names} can no longer stay in place and returned to the Bench",
diff --git a/public/i18n/ja.json b/public/i18n/ja.json
index 84e27269..84ef6b5e 100644
--- a/public/i18n/ja.json
+++ b/public/i18n/ja.json
@@ -836,6 +836,8 @@
   "终极": "究極",
   "rounds::回合": "ラウンド",
   "{who}：获得{name}": "{who}：{name}を獲得",
+  "{who}：卡池中已没有{name}": "{who}：共有プールに{name}が残っていません",
+  "{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员": "{who}：入手できる同じ盟約のオペレーターがいません",
   "获得{name}": "{name}を獲得",
   "联防阶段：{names} 迎战突破防线的敌人": "防衛支援段階：{names}が防衛線を突破した敵を迎え撃つ",
   "地形变化：{names}无法停留在原位置，已撤回整备区": "地形変化：{names}は元の位置に留まれないため、整備エリアに戻りました",
diff --git a/public/i18n/ko.json b/public/i18n/ko.json
index e6d14925..ca752797 100644
--- a/public/i18n/ko.json
+++ b/public/i18n/ko.json
@@ -832,6 +832,8 @@
   "终极": "초월",
   "rounds::回合": "라운드",
   "{who}：获得{name}": "{who}: {name} 획득",
+  "{who}：卡池中已没有{name}": "{who}: 공유 풀에 {name}이(가) 남아 있지 않습니다",
+  "{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员": "{who}: 획득할 수 있는 같은 맹약의 오퍼레이터가 없습니다",
   "获得{name}": "{name} 획득",
   "联防阶段：{names} 迎战突破防线的敌人": "연합 방어 단계: {names} 님이 방어선을 돌파한 적을 맞아 싸웁니다",
   "地形变化：{names}无法停留在原位置，已撤回整备区": "지형 변화: {names} 오퍼레이터가 원래 위치에 머무를 수 없어 정비 구역으로 돌아갔습니다",
diff --git a/public/i18n/zh-TW.json b/public/i18n/zh-TW.json
index 090279fa..eab20f45 100644
--- a/public/i18n/zh-TW.json
+++ b/public/i18n/zh-TW.json
@@ -835,6 +835,8 @@
   "终极": "終極",
   "rounds::回合": "回合",
   "{who}：获得{name}": "{who}：獲得{name}",
+  "{who}：卡池中已没有{name}": "{who}：卡池中已沒有{name}",
+  "{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员": "{who}：沒有可獲得的同盟約幹員",
   "获得{name}": "獲得{name}",
   "联防阶段：{names} 迎战突破防线的敌人": "聯防階段：{names} 迎戰突破防線的敵人",
   "地形变化：{names}无法停留在原位置，已撤回整备区": "地形變化：{names}無法停留在原位置，已撤回整備區",
diff --git a/server/match/builtinMeta.js b/server/match/builtinMeta.js
index 59a916d9..2815de11 100644
--- a/server/match/builtinMeta.js
+++ b/server/match/builtinMeta.js
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 import { getData } from '../data.js';
 import { itemKey } from './gamedata.js';
+import { msg, dn } from '../../shared/i18n.js';
 
 const int = (v, d = 0) => (Number.isFinite(v) ? Math.trunc(v) : d);
 
@@ -38,6 +39,15 @@ const paramsOf = (ctx, item) => {
   return rec && rec.params && typeof rec.params === 'object' ? rec.params : {};
 };
 
+/**
+ * The item gave nothing — the copies are all owned (the shared pool, research 06 §7) or no operator shares the bond — but
+ * it is still destroyed ("装备时销毁"): say why instead of swallowing it (GitHub #401, the owner's OK of 2026-10-09).
+ */
+function toastNothing(ctx, ev, chessName = null) {
+  const who = ctx.gd.item(ev.item?.id)?.name || '';
+  ctx.toast(chessName ? msg('{who}：卡池中已没有{name}', { who: dn(who), name: dn(chessName) }) : msg('{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员', { who: dn(who) }), 'warn');
+}
+
 /** random chess sharing at least one bond with `bonds`, tier ≤ maxTier */
 function rollSameBond(ctx, bonds, maxTier, exclude = null) {
   const set = new Set(bonds);
@@ -100,10 +110,12 @@ const ITEM_HANDLERS = {
     onEquip(ctx, ev) {
       const n = Math.max(1, int(paramsOf(ctx, ev.item).count, 1));
       const bonds = ctx.pieceBonds(ev.target.uid);
+      let got = 0;
       for (let k = 0; k < n; k++) {
         const id = rollSameBond(ctx, bonds, ctx.shopLevel());
-        if (id) ctx.grantChess(id);
+        if (id && ctx.grantChess(id)) got++;
       }
+      if (!got) toastNothing(ctx, ev);
     },
   },
   use_equip_gain_coin_when_next_round_start: {
@@ -138,9 +150,12 @@ const ITEM_HANDLERS = {
     onEquip(ctx, ev) {
       const base = ctx.gd.baseIdOf(ev.target.id);
       const owned = [...ctx.board(), ...ctx.hand(), ...ctx.temp()].filter((p) => p && p.kind === 'chess' && !p.golden && ctx.gd.baseIdOf(p.id) === base).length;
-      if (owned >= 2) { ctx.grantChess(base); return; }
+      if (owned >= 2) {
+        if (!ctx.grantChess(base)) toastNothing(ctx, ev, ctx.gd.chess(base)?.name || null);
+        return;
+      }
       const id = rollSameBond(ctx, ctx.pieceBonds(ev.target.uid), 6);
-      if (id) ctx.grantChess(id);
+      if (!id || !ctx.grantChess(id)) toastNothing(ctx, ev);
     },
   },
   use_equip_reward_special_goods_char_chess: {
@@ -151,6 +166,7 @@ const ITEM_HANDLERS = {
       // a pick-one offer never shows one operator twice (user playtest #6 item 19); fewer cards when the pool runs out
       for (let k = 0; k < n; k++) { const id = rollSameBond(ctx, bonds, ctx.shopLevel(), ids); if (id) ids.push(id); }
       if (ids.length) ctx.offerChess(ids, { source: 'item' });
+      else toastNothing(ctx, ev);
     },
   },
   // 信标 (act2autochess eff_acarm109 / eff_acgarm109 "装备时，目标干员和本装备销毁并进行一次特殊刷新，出现两名与携带者同等阶的
diff --git a/server/sim/content/items/meta.js b/server/sim/content/items/meta.js
index ac4fedf8..ceed8a39 100644
--- a/server/sim/content/items/meta.js
+++ b/server/sim/content/items/meta.js
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 
 import { itemKeyOf, isCoreBond } from '../support/index.js';
 import { metaBonds } from '../support/meta.js';
+import { msg, dn } from '../../../../shared/i18n.js';
 
 const int = (v, d = 0) => (Number.isFinite(v) ? Math.trunc(v) : d);
 
@@ -102,6 +103,8 @@ export function registerMeta(registry) {
         if (id) ids.push(id);
       }
       if (ids.length) ctx.offerChess(ids, { source: 'item' });
+      // nothing to offer (e.g. 缪尔赛思's 调和 below shop level 6): still destroyed — say why (GitHub #401, builtinMeta toastNothing)
+      else ctx.toast(msg('{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员', { who: dn(ctx.gd.item(ev.item?.id)?.name || '') }), 'warn');
     },
   }));
 
diff --git a/test/content/feedback5-cb1-pins.test.js b/test/content/feedback5-cb1-pins.test.js
index e46a0b26..dd4b0cc8 100644
--- a/test/content/feedback5-cb1-pins.test.js
+++ b/test/content/feedback5-cb1-pins.test.js
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ test('50: two 空弦 made 阿戈尔 (变形同构体 + 阿戈尔重刃) in a row
   }
 });
 
-test('45: 寻呼模块 / 简易通讯机 on 缪尔赛思 below shop level 6 — nothing qualifies (调和, tier ≤ shop level), the item is used up', () => {
+test('45: 寻呼模块 / 简易通讯机 on 缪尔赛思 below shop level 6 — nothing qualifies (调和, tier ≤ shop level), the item is used up with a toast saying why', () => {
   for (const itemId of ['chess_item_4_01_e_a', 'chess_item_2_06_e_a']) {
     for (const level of [5, 6]) {
       const h = makeMatch({ mode: 'solo', difficulty: 'NORMAL', humans: 1, seed: 7, fake: true }).start();
@@ -60,11 +60,20 @@ test('45: 寻呼模块 / 简易通讯机 on 缪尔赛思 below shop level 6 —
       const item = ps.acquireItem(itemId, { source: 'test' });
       const owned = () => [...ps.board.values(), ...ps.hand, ...ps.temp].filter((p) => p && p.id === 'chess_char_6_11_a').length;
       const n0 = owned(), offers0 = ps.offers.length;
+      const warns = [];
+      const toast0 = h.m.toast.bind(h.m);
+      h.m.toast = (who, kind, text) => { if (kind === 'warn') warns.push(text?.msgid ?? text); return toast0(who, kind, text); };
       assert.deepEqual(h.m.handle('p_0', { t: 'g.equip', itemUid: item.uid, targetUid: mly.uid }), { ok: true });
       assert.equal(ps.find(item.uid), null, `${itemId} @${level}: consumed`);
       const got = owned() - n0 + (ps.offers.length - offers0);
-      if (level < 6) assert.equal(got, 0, `${itemId} @${level}: nothing (no 调和 operator of tier ≤ ${level})`);
-      else assert.equal(got, 1, `${itemId} @6: 缪尔赛思 (granted, or offered by 寻呼模块)`);
+      // used up with nothing: a toast says why (GitHub #401, the owner's OK of 2026-10-09)
+      if (level < 6) {
+        assert.equal(got, 0, `${itemId} @${level}: nothing (no 调和 operator of tier ≤ ${level})`);
+        assert.deepEqual(warns, ['{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员'], `${itemId} @${level}: the toast`);
+      } else {
+        assert.equal(got, 1, `${itemId} @6: 缪尔赛思 (granted, or offered by 寻呼模块)`);
+        assert.deepEqual(warns, [], `${itemId} @6: no toast`);
+      }
     }
   }
 });
diff --git a/test/content/items.test.js b/test/content/items.test.js
index 852c5d6b..4776ea38 100644
--- a/test/content/items.test.js
+++ b/test/content/items.test.js
@@ -741,6 +741,16 @@ const plain = (pred = () => true) => Object.values(DATA.chess)
   .filter((c) => c.visible && !c.isGolden && (c.garrisonIds || []).every((g) => DATA.garrisons[g].eventType === 'IN_BATTLE') && pred(c))
   .map((c) => c.chessId).sort();
 /** Record the chess granted by item effects (acquireChess with an `item:` source). */
+/** The warn toasts sent to the match's players from now on: [{ msgid, who, name }] (server msg() objects). */
+function spyWarns(m) {
+  const got = [];
+  const orig = m.toast.bind(m);
+  m.toast = (ps, kind, text) => {
+    if (kind === 'warn') got.push({ msgid: text?.msgid ?? text, who: text?.params?.who?.dn ?? null, name: text?.params?.name?.dn ?? null });
+    return orig(ps, kind, text);
+  };
+  return got;
+}
 function spyGrants(ps) {
   const got = [];
   const orig = ps.acquireChess.bind(ps);
@@ -958,11 +968,14 @@ test('拟态物质 with 2 copies owned and none left in the pool gives nothing 
     assert.equal(m.pool.left(cid), 0, 'elite 3 + 2 normal = the pool cap 5');
     const before = chessIn(ps);
     const got = spyGrants(ps);
+    const warns = spyWarns(m);
     const it = giveItem(m, ps, item);
     assert.deepEqual(equip(it, t), OK, item);
     assert.deepEqual(got, [], `${item}: nothing granted`);
     assert.deepEqual(chessIn(ps), before, `${item}: no other operator, no second elite`);
     assert.ok(!ps.find(it.uid), `${item}: consumed`);
+    // …and says why (GitHub #401, the owner's OK of 2026-10-09)
+    assert.deepEqual(warns, [{ msgid: '{who}：卡池中已没有{name}', who: '拟态物质', name: '溯光星源' }], `${item}: the toast`);
   }
   // 2 normal copies, no elite, the pool drained by other players: nothing either
   {
@@ -971,9 +984,11 @@ test('拟态物质 with 2 copies owned and none left in the pool gives nothing 
     give(m, ps, cid, 'hand');
     m.pool.take(cid, m.pool.left(cid));
     const got = spyGrants(ps);
+    const warns = spyWarns(m);
     assert.deepEqual(equip(giveItem(m, ps, A('5_05')), t), OK);
     assert.deepEqual(got, []);
     assert.deepEqual(chessIn(ps), [cid, cid]);
+    assert.deepEqual(warns.map((w) => w.msgid), ['{who}：卡池中已没有{name}']);
   }
   // 2 normal copies with copies left: the 3rd merges into the elite
   {
@@ -981,12 +996,27 @@ test('拟态物质 with 2 copies owned and none left in the pool gives nothing 
     const t = give(m, ps, cid, 'hand');
     give(m, ps, cid, 'hand');
     assert.equal(m.pool.left(cid), 3);
+    const warns = spyWarns(m);
     assert.deepEqual(equip(giveItem(m, ps, A('5_05')), t), OK);
     assert.deepEqual(chessIn(ps), [elite]);
+    assert.deepEqual(warns, [], 'a grant: no warn toast');
     assert.equal(m.pool.left(cid), 2, 'the elite holds 3 copies');
   }
 });
 
+test('拟态物质 with fewer than 2 copies and no same-bond operator left gives nothing and says so (GitHub #401)', () => {
+  // 缪尔赛思's only bond is 调和 and she is its only member: one copy owned, the rest of her pool taken by others
+  const cid = 'chess_char_6_11_a';
+  const { m, ps, equip } = setup({ seed: 9 });
+  const t = give(m, ps, cid, 'hand');
+  m.pool.take(cid, m.pool.left(cid));
+  const got = spyGrants(ps);
+  const warns = spyWarns(m);
+  assert.deepEqual(equip(giveItem(m, ps, A('5_05')), t), OK);
+  assert.deepEqual(got, [], 'nothing granted');
+  assert.deepEqual(warns, [{ msgid: '{who}：没有可获得的同盟约干员', who: '拟态物质', name: null }]);
+});
+
 test('博士投影: golden promotes at once; normal stays equipped and promotes at the next round start', () => {
   const { h, m, ps, equip } = setup();
   const cid = plain((c) => c.tier === 2)[0];