When moving a character into a battlefield to start a showdown, can the designated attacker play an action card (like Facebreaker) before their opponent gets priority?

Ruling: When you move into a battlefield and showdown starts, the designated attacker has first priority and can play action cards before their opponent.

Sequence:

  • Move units into battlefield, starting showdown
  • Designated attacker has first priority and can play actions (e.g., Facebreaker)
  • Opponent can respond with their own actions if able
  • Chain resolves in reverse order (last played resolves first)
  • After each effect resolves, the owner of the next effect on the chain gets priority
  • If both players pass consecutively, the next effect resolves

Nuances:

  • Hidden cards can be played at action speed into the chain
  • If a card is not hidden, it cannot be played at action speed in response to another action
  • If a target becomes invalid (e.g., moved by another effect), the action will not find its target when it resolves