When does a combat end?

Combat ends after the Resolution Step (Rule 461), specifically at step 461.7 — when Attacker/Defender designations are removed and all "this combat" effects expire.

The full path is:

1. Combat Showdown ends when both players pass Focus without playing anything (Rule 348).
2. That triggers the Combat Damage Step — damage is assigned and dealt (Rule 460).
3. Then the Resolution Step runs: Combat Cleanup (heal all units, recall attackers if defenders remain) → determine combat result → establish control/conquer → then combat officially ends at 461.7.

So a combat effectively ends once the Resolution Step tasks complete, but the showdown that kicks it off only ends when both players consecutively pass Focus with an empty Chain (FAQ #608, #9669).