During a showdown, if I pass without playing an action, my opponent plays an action that resolves, can I then play an action afterwards to start a new chain before damage calculation?

Ruling: Yes, after your opponent's action chain resolves, you regain focus and can play a new action. Both players must pass consecutively before moving to damage calculation.

Sequence:

• Attacker may play an action or pass
• If attacker passes, defender may play an action
• When an action is played, it opens a chain where only reactions can be added (attacker reaction, then defender reaction)
• Once the chain resolves, the player who didn't start that chain gets focus
• Players alternate having the opportunity to start new action chains
• Only when both players pass consecutively does showdown proceed to damage calculation

Nuances:

• Actions can only open a chain; reactions are used to respond within a chain
• A player can play multiple reactions in a row, including in response to their own reactions
• The sequence is: Action -> attacker reaction -> defender reaction, then resolve