Can I play Shen as a reaction during showdown, then play Call to Glory to buff Shen (by removing a buff counter from Sona) to kill the attacking Jinx and save Sona?

Ruling: No, this sequence will not save Sona. When you play Call to Glory and remove the buff counter from Sona, her Might will drop to 6, matching her 6 marked damage, causing her to die during cleanup before combat damage is dealt.

Sequence:

  • Jinx player attacks
  • You react with Shen (Shen resolves immediately as a unit)
  • Focus passes to Jinx player, who passes
  • Focus returns to you, you play Call to Glory paying 3 by removing buff from Sona
  • Sona dies during cleanup (Might reduced to 6, matching 6 marked damage)
  • Combat resolves: Jinx dies, Shen survives with Tank

Nuances:

  • Units and gear resolve immediately and do not linger on the chain
  • When units/gear resolve and the chain closes, focus passes to the next player (unlike add abilities which have a special exception)
  • Showdowns only end when both players pass focus consecutively without starting a chain
  • Removing a buff counter that is keeping a unit alive will cause that unit to die during the next cleanup