When moving a unit to initiate a showdown, what is the correct sequence for playing action cards like En Garde - do you move and immediately play it, or can you move, wait for opponent's response, then play it?

Ruling: When you move a unit to initiate a showdown, you gain the first focus/priority and can choose whether to play action cards immediately or wait. However, if you need the card to win combat, you must play it during your first priority - if both players pass without playing cards, the combat resolves and you cannot play cards afterward.

Sequence:

• Move unit to battlefield (initiates showdown)
• Moving player gains focus/priority first and can play actions/reactions
• Opponent can play reactions in response
• Chain resolves
• Opponent gains focus/priority and can play actions/reactions
• Moving player can play reactions in response
• Chain resolves
• Continue alternating until both players pass without playing cards

Nuances:

• If you need a card like En Garde to win the combat (e.g., throwing a 2 into a 2), you must play it during your first priority or the units will trade when both players pass
• If you only need the card to counter an opponent's response (e.g., to avoid Gust), you can wait and only play it as a reaction if they actually play something
• You can react with cards like En Garde to opponent's cards like Gust that are played in response to your move