If all defending units are killed during the Showdown Step, does the Resolution Step get skipped, and if so, how are battlefield conquest and clearing Contested status handled?

Question

Accepted Answer

Ruling: The rule reference to skipping to "step 4" when no units remain is incorrect. It should refer to skipping the Combat Damage Step, not skipping to step 4 (Cleanup), so that the Resolution Step still occurs.

Sequence:
- If no Attacking or Defending Units remain after the Showdown Step, skip the Combat Damage Step
- Proceed to the Resolution Step where battlefield conquest and Contested status clearing occur
- Then perform Cleanup

Nuances:
- The current rule text incorrectly suggests skipping directly to step 4 (Cleanup), which would bypass important Resolution Step actions like conquering the battlefield and clearing Contested status