After initiating a showdown and playing Cleave, when the chain resolves, do I get focus back to play another Cleave?

Ruling: When a chain fully resolves in Showdown, focus automatically passes to the next player. If they pass, you gain focus back and can play another action.

Sequence:

  • Your Cleave chain resolves completely
  • Focus automatically passes to your opponent
  • If opponent passes, you gain focus back and can play another Cleave
  • If opponent plays a spell, the entire chain resolves first, then you get focus back

Nuances:

  • Focus is automatically passed when a chain fully resolves, while priority is passed voluntarily by players during an ongoing chain
  • On an initial chain (like a "when you attack" trigger), you maintain focus after the chain resolves and don't auto-pass
  • Add abilities (like Malzahar's) are an exception where priority and focus do not pass when finalized