When a unit with Assault moves to an enemy-occupied battlefield, does it gain the Assault bonus before the move ability resolves, or must the move ability resolve first before combat starts and Assault applies?
Ruling: Move abilities must resolve first before combat can start. The unit does not gain Assault bonuses until after the move ability has resolved and combat begins.
Sequence:
- Move ability goes on the chain
- Move ability must resolve (opponents can react with abilities like Gust)
- Chain becomes empty
- Combat starts and attacker/defender status is assigned
- Assault and other combat effects apply
Nuances:
- Combat cannot start while the chain is not empty
- Opponents can react to the move ability before Assault bonuses take effect