If I play En Garde when I have only one unit on the battlefield, then later in a subsequent chain play Blastcone Fae (adding a second unit), do I retain the +2 might bonus from En Garde?

Ruling: Yes, you retain the +2 might bonus from En Garde. En Garde is a trigger ability that checks the game state only when it resolves, not continuously, so adding a second unit afterward does not remove the bonus.

Sequence:

• Player A (attacker) passes with focus and priority
• Player B plays En Garde targeting their unit (only 1 unit present)
• Both players pass, En Garde resolves and grants +2 might
• Player A gets focus and priority again (as defender owned most recent effect)
• Player A passes
• Player B can now play Blastcone Fae
• Both players pass, Blastcone Fae resolves
• The unit still has the +2 might from En Garde

Nuances:

• If you play Blastcone Fae first, then En Garde in the same chain, En Garde only grants +1 might because Blastcone Fae resolves first (chain resolves in reverse order) and there are 2 units when En Garde resolves
• This differs from passive abilities like Wielder of Water, which continuously recheck the game state
• When units enter the battlefield during a showdown, there is no initial empty chain - it goes directly to attacker triggers, then defender triggers, then attacker gets focus and priority
• There is only ever one chain at a time, which must fully resolve before a new chain can begin