If a Special Rule cares about Elements, when does it check your Element total?

If a Special Rule cares about Elements, when does it check your Element total?

Each time you use the ability. If you gain or lose Elements throughout the turn, these special rules may become stronger or weaker.
If the special rule has a limited number of uses (e.g., Swiftness of Lightning), you can only use it again if you haven't used it more than your current Elements would allow. The total number of Elements you have had earlier in the turn doesn't matter.