How does priority and focus work during a showdown in Riftbound, particularly regarding who can play action cards versus reaction cards and when?

Ruling: When a showdown starts, the attacker has focus (which includes priority) and can play an action card first. The defender can only respond with reaction cards to that chain. Once the chain resolves and focus passes, the other player can then start a new chain with an action card.

Sequence:

• Attacker starts with focus and can play an action card
• If attacker plays an action, defender can only respond with reactions to that chain
• When you play a card, you hold priority and can chain your own reactions before passing
• Once both players pass priority in order, the next link in the chain resolves
• After a chain fully resolves, focus passes to the other player
• The player with focus can start a new chain with an action card
• This continues back and forth with no limit
• The showdown ends when both players pass focus in order without creating a chain
• After showdown ends (in combat), proceed to combat damage step

Nuances:

• Focus is what allows you to play an action card; priority alone only allows reactions
• A player can chain multiple actions if the opponent keeps passing focus back without playing anything
• You can react to your own action cards before passing priority
• If either player starts a chain after both have passed, the process resets and focus passes around again before the showdown can end