During a showdown, after a reaction is played to buff a unit, can an action card (like Hidden Blade) be played to kill the buffed unit, or must combat resolve first?

Ruling: Actions can only be played to start a new chain when a player has focus, not during an ongoing chain. During a showdown, focus passes back and forth between attacker and defender after each chain resolves, allowing either player to start a new chain with an action card until both players pass consecutively.

Sequence:

• Attacker declares attack and gets focus first
• If attacker passes, focus goes to defender
• Defender plays a reaction (e.g., +2 might buff), starting a chain
• Chain resolves completely
• Focus returns to attacker, who can now play an action card (like Hidden Blade) to start a new chain
• This continues until both players pass focus consecutively, then combat resolves

Nuances:

• Actions cannot be played while a chain is ongoing (closed state)
• Reactions are the exception and can be played during a chain
• Hidden cards at the battlefield can be played at reaction speed as part of the Hidden mechanic