After one player passes and the other plays and resolves an Action during the combat action/reaction window, can the first player then play an Action/Reaction, or does combat start immediately? Can players continue playing Actions back and forth until both pass in succession?

Ruling: Both players must pass in succession for combat to start. As long as one player keeps starting a new chain by playing an Action or Reaction, combat does not begin.

Sequence:

  • Player X passes
  • Player Y plays an Action and passes
  • Action resolves
  • Player X now has the opportunity to play an Action/Reaction
  • Players can continue playing Actions back and forth
  • Combat only starts when both players pass consecutively without playing anything

Nuances:

  • The key requirement is passing "in succession" - both players must pass without either one playing a card in between