When moving a unit with Assault into an empty battlefield, does the unit count as attacking and receive attacker designation and triggers?

Ruling: No, moving into an empty battlefield creates a showdown but not a combat. The unit does not receive attacker designation and Assault does not trigger.

Sequence:

• Moving into an empty battlefield creates a showdown
• During the showdown, both players can play actions
• Attacker/defender designations are only set during combat, not during showdowns
• The contested status is applied to the battlefield, but this doesn't create attacker/defender designations unless combat actually occurs

Nuances:

• If a surprise defense occurs during the showdown (e.g., via Ride the Wind), then combat would begin and the moving player would become the attacker
• Contested status exists outside of combat in case the showdown results in combat