In a showdown, if a player has focus and priority, uses an action to start a chain, and that chain resolves, does focus automatically pass to the opponent or can the original player start another chain?
Ruling: After a chain resolves in a showdown, focus automatically passes to the opponent in turn order. The player who started the chain cannot start another chain consecutively unless the opponent chooses not to act.
Sequence:
- Player with focus starts a chain with an action
- Chain resolves and closes
- Focus automatically moves to the opponent
- Opponent now has permission to start a new chain
Nuances:
- Focus can be thought of as "the permission to start a chain during a showdown"
- A player does not choose whether to pass focus after their chain resolves - it passes automatically
- Neither player can start two chains consecutively unless the opponent agrees by not doing anything