If a unit moves to an empty battlefield, is it considered as attacking?

Question

Accepted Answer

No, a unit moving to an empty battlefield is not considered to be attacking.

According to **FAQ #5513** and **FAQ #8664**, units moving to an empty battlefield are not considered attackers, and the unit does not receive the "Attacker" designation.

Here is the breakdown of why this is the case:

*   **Combat is required for Attacker designation:** Attacker and defender designations only exist during Combat. As stated in **Rule 437** and **Rule 440**, Combat can only occur between units controlled by opposing players at the same battlefield.
*   **Empty battlefields create a Showdown, not Combat:** When a unit moves to an empty battlefield, it initiates a non-combat Showdown (**Rule 429.1**). Because there is no opposing unit present to create a Combat, your unit does not gain the "Attacker" designation.
*   **Triggered Abilities:** Because the unit is not designated as an attacker, "When I attack" triggers will not activate (as confirmed in **FAQ #2505** and **FAQ #8664**). Similarly, passive abilities like **Assault** will not provide their might bonus because the unit is not an attacker (**FAQ #863** and **FAQ #1818**).