If my only unit in a battlefield dies to Hidden Blade during showdown, can I play an action speed card (like Find Your Center) that I drew from Hidden Blade before the showdown ends?

Ruling: Yes, you can play action speed cards drawn from Hidden Blade after it resolves. Focus passes back and forth between players during combat, so after Hidden Blade resolves and you draw cards, you will eventually receive focus again and can play an action speed card.

Sequence:

  • Hidden Blade resolves and kills your unit, you draw cards
  • The chain completes
  • Focus passes back to you
  • You can now play an action speed card from the cards you drew

Nuances:

  • The showdown does not instantly end when your only unit dies
  • As of the 1.1 rules update, you retain control of the battlefield the entire time it is contested, even if you have no units remaining
  • You could even play cards like Shen There during the showdown despite having no units